Question

An elderly female presented with dribbling of urine only on coughing and straining. What type of urinary incontinence is she suffering from? 

• A. Stress incontinence
• B. Urge incontinence
• C. Overflow incontinence
• D. Neurogenic bladder

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The elderly female in the scenario is experiencing dribbling of urine specifically when coughing and straining. This symptom is indicative of Stress Incontinence.

Explanation: Stress incontinence occurs when there is involuntary leakage of urine during activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical exertion. This happens due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter, which are unable to properly support the bladder and prevent leakage during sudden pressure increases.

Other types of urinary incontinence described in the options include:

• Urge incontinence: Characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, often followed by involuntary loss of urine. This is caused by an overactive bladder muscle.
• Overflow incontinence: Describes a situation where the bladder does not empty completely, leading to dribbling of urine. It is typically related to an obstruction of the bladder outlet or a lack of contractility of the bladder muscle.
• Neurogenic bladder: A bladder dysfunction caused by neurologic damage, leading to various urinary symptoms.

The symptom of urine leakage upon coughing and straining matches the description of stress incontinence, making it the most likely diagnosis for this patient.