What it means
Involuntary loss of urine. The main types are stress incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing or lifting, from weak pelvic floor muscles), urge incontinence (a sudden strong need to go and leaking before reaching the toilet, from an overactive bladder), overflow incontinence (a bladder that does not empty and dribbles), and functional incontinence (being unable to reach the toilet in time because of mobility or thinking problems). It is common but not a normal part of aging.
For the nurse
Offer a toileting schedule (for example every 2 hours), keep the call light and a urinal or commode close, teach pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, and keep the skin clean and dry. Avoid indwelling catheters when other measures can work.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | UI |
|---|---|
| Spanish | incontinencia urinaria |
| Also written | UI, urinary-incontinence |
Related terms
indwelling urinary catheter
A tube passed through the urethra into the bladder and left in place to drain urine into a bag.
incontinence
Loss of control over the bladder or bowel, so urine or stool leaks out without the person meaning it to.
bladder
The hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.
sphincter
A ring of muscle that tightens to close an opening or passage in the body and relaxes to open it.