Involuntary urination as a normal response

In summary, healthy people can lose bladder control under conditions of extreme fear, choking/strangling, or stress response. This response is triggered by a loss of muscle control due to unconsciousness or a stress response. Other scenarios may include an injury to the lower spine or a terminal condition such as COPD. This loss of control is likely a Darwinian response to trauma, as seen in other animals.
  • #1
onomatomanic
103
1
Other than the obvious case of the (real or perceived) pressure of a full bladder eventually becoming unbearable, under what conditions do healthy people, i.e. those who do not ordinarily suffer from incontinence, lose bladder control?

I know of two - extreme fear and choking/strangling. In the latter, I'm not sure if there is a direct connection, or if it is simply the cause for a more general loss of muscle control due to the onset of unconsciousness. How and why is urination triggered, in those cases? Are they connected?

What other scenarios are there, if any?

I spent some time on wikipedia but couldn't find anything directly applicable. The article on urinary incontinence doesn't really address either case. For a while, I thought that cataplexy ("a sudden and transient episode of loss of muscle tone, often triggered by emotions [or stress]") might be what I was looking for, but the article talks about it only as a pathological condition, as far as I could tell.

TIA! :)
 
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  • #2
An injury to the lower spine could cause a loss of bowel control, but that would not meet your criteria of "healthy". A stress response can also trigger a loss of urine control. This does not have to be something extreme, but it is not not uncommon for people under constant stress to exhibit problems with their bladder. IBS is an example of a stress response (assuming the person does not have interstitial cystitis - an infection inside the bladder wall).
 
  • #3
Well, I'm going to put it out there, just for you. This is to go no farther than your eyes.
(And, of course, whatever hundred of thousands of whos that happen to read this.)
I have to wear a diaper when I leave the house (which is one reason that I pretty much never leave the house). My condition is terminal COPD. Just over a year ago, I actually died of it. Than was an unacceptable situation for me, though, so I got over it after a couple of minutes. Spent the next 4 days in a coma, the following 2 1/2 weeks semi-conscious with a machine breathing for me, and then another week in the pulmonary care ICU on oxygen. I can get around with my walker now that I'm out of the hospital, but it's seldom worth the effort. (I can navigate the main floor of my house with just a cane, or sometimes without it. My cat owns the 4 bedrooms on the 2nd floor because I can't climb the stairs.)
The first thing to go when your pulse-ox drops below 80 is bowel control. Bladder control is probably right up there with it in normal people, but I'm always dehydrated so it doesn't apply to me. I can still walk in a flaky manner, but can't get to a bathroom on time. That doesn't happen at home, but I make damned sure that I've taken care of business before I go out, drop a couple of Immodiums as insurance, and never eat anything out unless I have a guaranteed ride home in short order.
All of the above was just to let you know that I understand the situation, whatever might cause it.
The postulation that I read about 45 years ago, which makes sense to me, is that it's a Darwinian response to trauma. People who die, especially in a violent manner such as hanging, void their bowels and bladders, and males frequently ejaculate. That would tend to make one less than tasty to the critter that did the killing, and so eventually that species would stop trying to eat us.
 
  • #4
look up stress incontinence. cataplexy narcoplexy you lose skeletal muscle due to somatic nervous system, not Autonomic. You do lose ANS during seizures and urinate during seizures
 
  • #5


I can provide some insights into the involuntary urination as a normal response and its triggers in healthy individuals.

First, it's important to understand that urination is a complex process that involves coordination between the bladder muscles, the sphincter muscles, and the nervous system. Normally, the bladder fills up with urine and sends signals to the brain when it reaches a certain level of fullness. The brain then sends signals to the bladder muscles to contract and the sphincter muscles to relax, allowing the urine to be released.

Involuntary urination, also known as urinary incontinence, can occur in healthy individuals under certain conditions. One common trigger is extreme fear or stress. When the body is in a state of fight or flight response, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, causing increased heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. This can also lead to a relaxation of the sphincter muscles, making it difficult to control the release of urine.

Another trigger is choking or strangling, which can also cause a similar response in the body. The pressure on the neck can activate the vagus nerve, which can cause a reflex relaxation of the sphincter muscles and involuntary urination.

In both of these scenarios, the brain is receiving signals from the body that indicate a threat or danger, leading to a disruption in the normal coordination of the bladder and sphincter muscles.

Other potential triggers for involuntary urination in healthy individuals may include certain medications, alcohol consumption, or hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause. However, these triggers may vary from person to person and may not always lead to involuntary urination.

In summary, involuntary urination as a normal response can occur in healthy individuals under certain conditions such as extreme fear or choking/strangling. These triggers can disrupt the normal coordination of the bladder and sphincter muscles, leading to involuntary urination. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and triggers of involuntary urination in healthy individuals.
 

1. What causes involuntary urination as a normal response?

Involuntary urination, also known as urinary incontinence, can be caused by a variety of factors including weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions.

2. Is involuntary urination a common problem?

Yes, involuntary urination is a common problem that affects people of all ages. It is estimated that about 25% of women and 15% of men experience some form of urinary incontinence in their lifetime.

3. Can involuntary urination be treated?

Yes, there are various treatment options available for involuntary urination depending on the underlying cause. These may include pelvic floor exercises, medication, bladder training, and surgery.

4. Is involuntary urination a sign of a serious medical condition?

In most cases, involuntary urination is not a sign of a serious medical condition. However, it is important to consult a doctor if it becomes a frequent or disruptive problem, as it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying health issue.

5. Can lifestyle changes help with involuntary urination?

Yes, making certain lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding bladder irritants, and practicing good bathroom habits can help manage and improve symptoms of involuntary urination.

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