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What Causes Incontinence in Teens?

Not being able to control your ability to urinate is a major lifestyle issue, generally thought of as something that affects only the elderly. However, incontinence can affect people of any age group--even teens. Here you will find some of the potential causes of this condition.

  1. Stress Incontinence

    • A teenager who has recently gained a lot of weight could be suffering from stress incontinence. According to Healthywomen.org, stress incontinence is the most common form experienced by women. Its symptoms manifest from everyday actions such as laughing or getting up from a chair. This condition can be caused by stretched pelvic floor muscles, which can also be the result of pregnancy.

    Urge Incontinence

    • If a teen has suffered a sports injury to the spine, bladder or even the brain, he could be suffering from urge incontinence. Urge incontinence manifests as an urge to urinate followed by sudden urine leakage. It is caused by involuntary bladder contractions that can be a result of bladder or nerve damage, which can also be caused by a brain tumors, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

    Overflow Incontinence

    • A teen with diabetes may have suffered nerve damage that can cause overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence is a condition where the bladder remains full and leaks urine. This can be also be caused by a blocked uretha.

    Functional Incontinence

    • If a teenager is disabled, he or she may be suffering from functional incontinence. A variety of factors, including paralysis or a mental handicap, can contribute to a disabled person's inability to reach the toilet.

    Other Causes of Incontinence

    • Incontinence isn't always as cut and dry as being one type or the other. Occasionally, it presents itself as a combination of the above types. For example, a teen who is disabled as a result of a spinal cord injury may suffer from both functional incontinence and urge incontinence. According to Healthywomen.org, some studies claim this so-called mixed incontinence is the most common form.

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