What causes sudden fainting and loss of bladder/bowel control?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on May 20, 2025
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Sudden fainting and incontinence may be due to a sharp decrease in blood pressure, a sudden reduction in cardiac output, and widespread insufficiency in brain artery supply. It is related to cardiogenic syncope, cerebrogenic syncope, and vasovagal inhibitory syncope. This is caused by a temporary sudden decrease in cerebral blood flow, resulting in insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to suppression of the reticular activating system and loss of consciousness and incontinence. Further actions should include ambulatory electrocardiograms, dynamic blood pressure monitoring, dynamic electroencephalograms, cranial magnetic resonance imaging, and vascular imaging to clarify the cause of the syncope. Further tests should include complete blood count, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and electrocardiograms.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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"What tests should be done for urinary incontinence?"

Urinary incontinence is due to damage to the bladder sphincter or nerve dysfunction, resulting in the loss of voluntary control over urination, causing involuntary leakage of urine. This condition is more common in females than males, especially in women over fifty years of age. Some routine examinations for this condition include: First, urinalysis. Second, measuring residual urine volume, cystourethrography, bladder pressure tests, and then standing cystography. Additionally, tests such as urodynamic studies are helpful.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What should elderly people do if they have slight urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is relatively common in the elderly. After excluding organic causes of urinary incontinence through examination, we should consider functional causes. This is mainly due to the relaxation of the urethral sphincter, pelvic floor, and the muscles around the urethra, which decreases the urethral pressure. When the abdominal pressure increases, it can cause urinary incontinence. We can improve the muscles of the pelvic floor gradually by undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy, which increases their strength and improves urinary incontinence. The key to pelvic floor rehabilitation is to provide patients with guidance and exercises for lifting the anus. By persisting in these exercises, the symptoms of urinary incontinence can be alleviated or eliminated.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How many types of urinary incontinence are there?

Urinary incontinence refers to the uncontrolled release of urine through the urethra. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including urge incontinence, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, and true incontinence, each requiring treatment tailored to the specific type. The most common type is stress incontinence, which is often seen in women who have given birth. It is mainly caused by relaxation of the bladder sphincter and typically occurs when sudden increases in abdominal pressure, such as during coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, cause urine to flow from the urethra. If the symptoms are mild, improvement can be achieved through exercises for the pelvic floor and bladder sphincter muscles. If the symptoms are severe, surgical treatment is recommended.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence mainly refers to the uncontrolled flow of urine from the urethral opening. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, tension incontinence, and neurogenic incontinence. Stress incontinence, commonly seen in women who have given birth, mainly refers to the leakage of urine from the urethral opening during actions that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, jumping rope, or sneezing. Urge incontinence is commonly seen in acute cases of bladder inflammation, where the inflammation stimulates the bladder, causing the patient to have a strong urge to urinate, thus losing control over urination, with urine flowing out from the urethral opening. Neurogenic incontinence is due to nerve damage, such as after spinal injury, leading to loss of bladder and urinary muscle function, causing urine to continuously flow out from the urethral opening.

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Written by Sun Chun
Urology
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Urinary incontinence includes three types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence.

Urinary incontinence, in clinical terms, is divided into the following categories: First, there is urge incontinence, where the main symptom is that as soon as one thinks of urinating, the urine comes out uncontrollably. This is commonly seen in urinary tract infections, among other conditions. Second, there is overflow incontinence, also known as pseudo-incontinence, which is actually due to an obstruction in the lower urinary tract, leading to an overfilled bladder that naturally overflows, causing involuntary urination. Third, there is true incontinence, which occurs because the mechanism controlling the urinary tract is damaged, resulting in leaks as soon as there is a small amount of urine in the bladder. If urinary incontinence occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital. First, a routine urine test should be conducted; second, a color Doppler ultrasound of the urinary system should be performed, which can be done while holding urine or during routine times; lastly, a urodynamic test should be carried out to examine bladder function and determine the type of urinary incontinence.