The most common forms of UI are seen in children at nighttime, and in those ages 65 and up. While UI is not a symptom of old age, it is most common in senior citizens. Relaxed, weak muscles that struggle to maintain urethral pressure may be to blame here, in which case a few simple pelvic floor exercises or kegel exercises daily may help. Nighttime bed-wetting in children is very common, more common than daytime wetting in children. UI in children is thought to be caused by a number of things, such as slower development, overproduction of urine at night; also, some children may not yet have the ability to recognize the bladder filling while asleep. Family history and genetics have also been linked to childhood UI, as well as anxiety, which is very less common than most other causes.

Caffeine and some medications can cause excessive urine production and ultimately UI. Another common cause is what is known as polyuria, or excessive urination. This can also include overactive bladder and is caused by involuntary muscle spasms with terrible timing, to say the least. Some will also experience urge incontinence, which happens when a person experiences a very sudden and strong urge to urinate frequently, diminishing the quality of life, depending on the severity. Stress incontinence is another type, mostly affecting women after giving birth when coughing, sneezing, or engaging in any other kind of strenuous activity that could cause the bladder to spasm momentarily. SI is more commonly seen in women because pregnancy and childbirth are the main cause in women. 

Other causes for UI can be a bladder, urethra, or urinary tract infection, which should clear up right along with any infection with antibiotics in cases where the infection is the cause. Cystitis is another condition that may cause UI. Cystitis is most commonly inflammation of the bladder from irritation, infection, or any number of things. Finally, diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's affecting the central nervous system may also cause UI. Whatever the cause, UI is a very unfortunate condition affecting millions of people every day. Fortunately, for most people it can either be temporary or reversed. For those irreversible cases, there are plenty of treatment and management options available to help maintain quality of life.