What distinguishes urge incontinence from stress incontinence?

The distinguishing feature of urge incontinence lies in the strong, sudden urge to urinate that occurs often due to involuntary bladder muscle contractions. In contrast, stress incontinence is characterized by the unintentional loss of urine during physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising, which increases abdominal pressure and affects the pelvic support structures.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Urge incontinence may be linked to various conditions affecting bladder control, whereas stress incontinence is often related to weakened pelvic floor muscles and supportive tissue due to factors like childbirth or aging.

These fundamentals are critical for clinicians when evaluating a patient's symptoms and choosing the most effective management strategy.