Urinary incontinence affects millions of American women. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 80 percent of people with incontinence are women. It is common among pregnant women and older adults but can occur at any age. Among women ages 18 to 45, almost 20 percent have urine control problems. It is important to note that, although it is more common in older adults, incontinence is not considered a normal part of the aging process.

Among the most effective ways of dealing with urinary incontinence is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. However, this is not always possible. Still, even if you have incontinence, you can treat it effectively. Tips to help you deal with urinary incontinence on a day-to-day basis include:

1. Know your risk. Knowing your risk of urinary incontinence can help you avoid developing it. There are a number of risk factors associated with incontinence, including:
   
   
   1. Gender. Women are more likely to experience incontinence than men. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female anatomy account for the difference.
      
      
   2. Age. The prevalence of incontinence increases with age because the muscles of the bladder and the urinary sphincter weaken as individuals get older. The urinary sphincter is the ring of muscles that surrounds the urethra.
      
      
   3. Obesity. Extra weight puts constant pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles, weakening them and allowing urine to leak.
      
      
   4. Playing high-impact sports. Running, basketball and gymnastics can cause sudden episodes of incontinence, even if you are healthy. These activities put sudden, strong pressure on the bladder, allowing urine to leak past the urinary sphincter.
      
      
   5. Smoking cigarettes. Some studies have shown that smokers have a higher incidence of incontinence than nonsmokers. The chronic cough associated with smoking also puts pressure on the urinary sphincter.
      
      
2. If possible, avoid the causes of incontinence. Urinary incontinence has many possible causes. Some are temporary and can be easily managed. By managing these potential causes, you can reduce your incontinence. You may even be able to stop your urinary incontinence altogether or prevent it from happening at all. Examples include:
   
   
   1. Consuming excessive alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases the rate of urine production. Drinking too much alcohol causes the bladder to fill quickly with urine. In addition, alcohol can interfere with your ability to recognize the need to urinate.
      
      
   2. Drinking excessive fluids. Drinking a lot of water or other fluids in a short period of time causes an increased rate of urine production and large amounts of urine in the bladder.
      
      
   3. Not drinking enough fluids. If the amount of liquids consumed is not adequate to stay hydrated, urine can become over-concentrated. The concentrated salts in the urine can irritate the bladder and cause incontinence.
      
      
   4. Consuming excessive caffeine. Caffeine is also a diuretic. Drinking large amounts of caffeine causes the bladder to fill quickly with urine, resulting in an urgent need to urinate.
      
      
   5. Consuming foods or beverages that irritate the bladder. Carbonated drinks, tea and coffee, with or without caffeine, citrus fruits, juices and artificial sweeteners can all irritate the bladder, causing incontinence.
      
      
   6. Taking certain medications. Bladder function is affected by many different types of medications. For instance, sedatives, diuretics, muscle relaxants and antidepressants can cause or increase incontinence. Side effects from anesthesia used during surgery can also cause temporary incontinence.
      
      
   7. Having a urinary tract infection. This infection develops along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The ureters are tubes from the kidneys to the bladder. Bacterial infection irritates the bladder, causing a strong urge to urinate. These urges may result in episodes of incontinence.
      
      
   8. Having constipation. The rectum and bladder are near one another and share many of the same nerves. When feces, or stool, remain in the rectum, it can cause the nerves to become overactive, resulting in urine leakage.
      
      
3. Understand the other causes of the condition. There are many other causes of urinary incontinence, as well. If you understand them, you can get a better idea of your own risk and how to reduce it. Chronic incontinence is often caused by an underlying medical issue or condition. For instance, pregnancy can cause stress incontinence, due to the hormonal changes that occur and the increased weight of the uterus. Childbirth can weaken the muscles in the pelvic floor and the urinary sphincter. The urinary sphincter is composed of the muscles that surround the urethra. Other potential causes of chronic incontinence include:
   
   
   1. Reduced hormone levels after menopause. Menopause is the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle. The hormone estrogen helps keep your bladder lining and urethra healthy. As estrogen levels fall, the tissues can lose some ability to hold back urine. As the bladder ages, its capacity to hold urine falls as well.
      
      
   2. Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. The bladder and uterus are near one another and are supported by the same muscles and ligaments. Surgeries that involve your reproductive system, such as a hysterectomy, may damage muscles or nerves of the urinary tract, which can lead to incontinence. The body also produces less estrogen if the ovaries are removed at the same time as the uterus. Among its other functions, estrogen helps maintain the health of the bladder and the urethra. Therefore, lower levels of the hormone after a hysterectomy may result in bladder control problems.
      
      
   3. Interstitial cystitis. This is the chronic inflammation of the bladder. It can cause painful and frequent urination, and possibly incontinence.
      
      
   4. Cystocele. Also known as a fallen bladder, this occurs when the bladder drops into the vagina due to the weakening of the wall between the bladder and vagina. This can cause discomfort and urine leakage. This condition can occur alone or may be associated with uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, or both. These are all types of pelvic floor dysfunctions.
      
      
   5. Bladder cancer. Incontinence, urinary urgency and burning during urination can be signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.
      
      
   6. Neurologic disorders. Damage to the nerves and muscles of the bladder can cause incontinence. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and brain tumors are examples of neurologic disorders. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder.
      
      
   7. Obstruction. Urinary stones, which are hard, stone-like masses that form in the bladder, can also cause urine leakage. A benign or cancerous tumor in the urinary tract can also obstruct the normal flow of urine and cause incontinence.
      
      
   8. Arthritis or other conditions that limit movement. These conditions can cause functional incontinence by limiting the ability to get to the toilet in time. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.