Elderly people who cough and urinate belong to the symptoms of urinary incontinence, which may be caused by physiological reasons, such as aging. It can also be caused by pathologic reasons, such as urinary tract infections, prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, neurological disorders and so on. 1. Physiological causes: As we age, the muscles in the bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. With age, the capacity of the bladder decreases, leading to symptoms of urinary incontinence. 2. Pathologic causes: (1) Urinary tract infection: infection can irritate the bladder, causing a strong urge to urinate and sometimes symptoms of urinary incontinence. (2) Prostatic hyperplasia: especially in older men, symptoms of incontinence usually stem from prostatic hyperplasia. (3) Prostate cancer: In men, stress incontinence or urge incontinence may be associated with untreated prostate cancer. Urinary incontinence is also a side effect of prostate cancer treatment. (4) Neurological disorders: Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain tumors, or spinal injuries can interfere with the nerve signals involved in bladder control, leading to incontinence. Elderly people who pee their pants when they cough should seek medical attention to have their doctor identify the specific cause and treat accordingly.