What term describes involuntary urine loss due to a neurologic disorder or injury?

• A. Functional incontinence
• B. Stress incontinence
• C. Neuropathic incontinence
• D. Overflow incontinence

Answer: (C)

Neurologic impairment that disrupts bladder storage or emptying leads to leakage described as neuropathic (neurogenic) incontinence. The nervous system controls when the bladder stores urine and when it contracts to empty, so damage from conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes autonomic neuropathy can cause involuntary leakage regardless of pelvic floor strength or urinary pressure. This term specifically ties the symptom to a nervous-system-origin problem, which is why it fits best.

Functional incontinence occurs when physical or cognitive limitations prevent timely toilet access, not because the bladder or nerves malfunction. Stress incontinence leaks with coughing or lifting due to pelvic floor weakness, not a neural cause. Overflow incontinence results from a chronically overfull bladder due to poor detrusor contraction or outlet obstruction, which is a mechanical/emptying issue rather than a primary neural disturbance.