What causes sudden fainting and incontinence?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on March 11, 2025
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Sudden fainting accompanied by incontinence can be due to neurogenic syncope, cardiogenic syncope, or vasovagal syncope. Neurogenic syncope generally refers to sudden fainting caused by conditions such as cerebral arteriosclerosis, cerebral vascular narrowing, cerebral vascular occlusion, transient cerebral ischemia, insufficient blood supply from the vertebrobasilar arteries, cerebral embolism, cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial space-occupying lesions, or cerebral vascular malformations, which can lead to incontinence and, in severe cases, convulsions. Cardiogenic syncope is generally caused by myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, or heart failure, leading to a decrease in cardiac output and resulting secondary cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which cause loss of consciousness.

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Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
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What should I do about urinary incontinence due to brain atrophy?

Urinary incontinence due to brain atrophy is mainly because the brain centers controlling urination and defecation have atrophied. This can be caused by vascular reasons leading to brain atrophy, such as cerebral infarction or hemorrhage affecting the adjacent centrolobular region, leading to urinary incontinence. Therefore, treatment should primarily target the underlying disease. Rehabilitation treatments are recommended, particularly traditional Chinese medicine methods like acupuncture and moxibustion. Modern rehabilitation, establishing regular urinary habits, and pelvic floor rehabilitation are also beneficial for treating urinary incontinence. Additionally, both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can be used for treatment.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Is urinary incontinence related to anything?

There are many causes of urinary incontinence. For example, the most common type, stress urinary incontinence, is related to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the bladder's detrusor muscle. Conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, as well as factors like being a mature mother or excessive obesity, can lead to stress urinary incontinence. Urgency urinary incontinence is often caused by severe bladder inflammation or associated with certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or bladder neck sclerosis. Overflow incontinence, most commonly seen in elderly males, typically results from prostate enlargement that blocks the urethra, leading to urinary retention and consequently overflow incontinence. Therefore, to understand the specific causes of urinary incontinence, it is crucial first to differentiate the types of incontinence and combine this with the patient’s specific situation and related examinations for a clear diagnosis.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Where is there a specialty for urinary incontinence?

Generally speaking, urinary incontinence falls under the category of urology, though some aspects could also be seen by specialists in men's health, who can effectively treat symptoms of urinary incontinence. Generally, it is recommended that patients seek examination and treatment in public hospitals, as the treatment provided in private hospitals is often not as reliable. For patients with urinary incontinence, it is advisable to consult the urology department if visiting a hospital. The urology department primarily deals with diseases of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Typically, urinary incontinence involves issues with the urethra or bladder, which can lead to incontinence. Therefore, it is advisable for patients to visit a reputable public hospital and consult the urology department.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What causes urinary incontinence in the elderly?

Urinary incontinence in the elderly refers to individuals over the age of 60 who experience involuntary urine leakage from the urethra, beyond their subjective control. Based on different mechanisms of onset, there are four main types: genuine urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, overflow urinary incontinence, and urge urinary incontinence. Persistent urinary incontinence is due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction, excessive contraction of the urinary muscles, severe damage to the urethral sphincter, and the bladder losing its storage function. This type can be seen in conditions like chronic stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and spinal disease. Stress urinary incontinence occurs due to relaxation of the urethral sphincter, pelvic floor muscles, and muscles around the urethra, leading to reduced urethral pressure. This situation is more common in elderly women and in the perineum of men, or due to urethral damage and urethral surgery. The third major category is overflow urinary incontinence, mainly seen in obstructive lower urinary tract diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia. Chronic urinary retention due to various causes results in bladder pressure exceeding the resistance of the normal urethral sphincter, causing urine to leak from the urethra. Lastly, urge urinary incontinence generally refers to overactivity of the bladder muscles, typically associated with bladder inflammation, acute urethritis, or the presence of bladder stones, bladder tumors, or obstructions at the bladder outlet, all of which can cause urge urinary incontinence.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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How to care for incontinence-associated dermatitis

The care for incontinence-associated dermatitis primarily involves keeping the affected skin clean and dry. It is important to avoid skin contact with urine as much as possible. If the skin does come into contact with urine, it should be washed promptly and kept clean and dry. If there is itching or discomfort at the site of the dermatitis, topical corticosteroid ointments may be used to alleviate the itching. Some patients might also develop infections, typically bacterial, which can be managed with antibiotics. For patients with recurrent dermatitis, considering bladder fistulation or other treatment methods might be necessary to prevent skin contact with urine.