Overflow incontinence is a medical condition characterized by involuntary urination due to a full bladder that cannot be emptied completely. The spelling of this word is made up of two parts: "overflow" and "incontinence". The vowel sound in "overflow" is represented using the IPA symbol /oʊ/ which is a diphthong of the sounds "oh" and "oo". The word "incontinence" contains the stressed syllable /kənˈtɪnəns/ which is pronounced with a schwa sound in the second syllable and a hard "t" sound at the end.
Overflow incontinence is a medical condition characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine, typically in small amounts, due to an inability to empty the bladder completely. It occurs when the bladder becomes overly full and exceeds its capacity, leading to frequent and unpredictable leakage.
This type of incontinence is often caused by a blockage or obstruction in the urinary tract, which prevents the bladder from emptying properly. The blockage can be the result of various underlying conditions such as an enlarged prostate in men, bladder stones, tumors, or a weakened bladder muscle.
Overflow incontinence is more common in men than in women and is often associated with conditions that affect the nerves controlling bladder function, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries. The symptoms of overflow incontinence may include a constant dribbling of urine, a weak or interrupted urine stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, and frequent urinary tract infections.
Treatment for overflow incontinence aims to address the underlying cause of the condition. Depending on the severity and cause, treatment options may include medication to relax the bladder muscle, surgery to remove the blockage or repair a weakened bladder, or the use of a catheter to help with bladder emptying.
In conclusion, overflow incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence characterized by the inability to fully empty the bladder, resulting in frequent and involuntary urine leakage.
The term "overflow incontinence" can be broken down into two parts to analyze its etymology:
1. Overflow: The term "overflow" refers to the act of overflowing or flowing over the edges. It comes from the Middle English word "overflown" which evolved from the Old English word "oferflōwan" (ofer meaning "over" and flōwan meaning "to flow").
2. Incontinence: The word "incontinence" originates from the Latin word "incontinentia" which means "lack of restraint" or "inability to contain". It is composed of the prefix "in-" which denotes negation or lack and the word "continentia" meaning "restraint" or "containment". In Latin, the term specifically referred to a lack of self-control or lack of restraint in bodily functions.