Glossary
Anal Incontinence is the inability to control the passage or loss of gas, liquid and/or solid stool. This condition can vary from being partial, in which a person loses only a small amount of liquid waste, to complete, in which the entire solid bowel movement cannot be controlled.
Atrophic Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina due to thinning and shrinking tissues and decreased lubrication of the vaginal walls. It is caused by a lack of estrogen.
Biofeedback a group of therapeutic procedures that utilizes electronic or electromechanical instruments to accurately measure, process and "feed back" to person's information with reinforcing properties about their neuromuscular and autonomic activity, both normal and abnormal, in the form of analogue or binary, auditory and/or visual feedback signals. Best achieved with a competent biofeedback professional, the objectives are to help persons develop greater awareness and voluntary control over their physiological processes that are otherwise outside of awareness and/or under less voluntary control, (e.g., strengthening pelvic muscles) by first controlling the external signal, and then with internal psychophysiological cues.
Bladder Lavage during a bladder lavage, the bladder is filled with a therapeutic solution that flows in through a narrow tube inserted through the urethra and into the bladder, called a catheter. The instillation is held for 5 minutes before being drained.
CMG Cystometrogram Cystometric study uses a device to pump water into the bladder. The device then measures the amount of fluid present in the bladder when you first feel the need to urinate, when you are able to sense fullness, and when your bladder is completely full.
Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days.
Cystocele prolapse of bladder into the vagina.
EMG Electromyography is a test that assesses the health of the muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles.
Endometriosis is a common medical condition affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world. With endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, in endometriosis, the misplaced endometrium has no way of leaving the body. The tissues still break down and bleed, but the result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur.
Enterocele prolapse of small intestine into the vagina.
Frequency day and/or night frequency of urination (up to 60 times a day in severe cases). In early or very mild cases, frequency is sometimes the only symptom.
Incontinence loss of bladder or bowel control, is a symptom - not a disease in itself. A broad range of conditions and disorders can cause incontinence, including birth defects, pelvic surgery, injuries to the pelvic region or to the spinal cord, neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis, poliomyelitis, infection, and degenerative changes associated with aging. It can also occur as a result of pregnancy or childbirth.
Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. Its cause is unknown. "Common" cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection, is caused by bacteria and is usually successfully treated with antibiotics. Unlike common cystitis, IC is believed not to be caused by bacteria and does not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. It is important to note that IC is not a psychosomatic disorder nor is it caused by stress.
Overactive bladder is a condition that results from sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder. Overactive bladder causes a sudden and unstoppable need to urinate (urinary urgency). Overactive bladder is also referred to as urge incontinence. Overactive bladder is especially common in older adults. Overactive bladder affects an estimated 1 in 11 adults in the United States. Overactive bladder, however, should not be considered a normal part of aging.
Overflow Incontinence refers to leakage that occurs when the quantity of urine produced exceeds the bladder's holding capacity.
Prolapse "literally means ""To fall out of place."" In medicine, prolapse is a condition where organs, such as the uterus, fall down or slip out of place. It is generally reserved for organs protruding through the vagina. Prolapse can involve several structures within the pelvis: Symptoms include pain, incontinence of urine and/or feces, discomfort in specific positions (standing, bicycling).Diagnosis is by history and physical examination. When generalized weakness of the pelvic floor is suspected, additional tests might be considered. When incontinence is a feature, urodynamics may give some information on the interplay between prolapse and the incontinence.
Rectocele prolapse of rectum into the vagina.
Stress Incontinence occurs when pelvic muscles have been damaged, causing the bladder to leak during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or any body movement which puts pressure on the bladder.
Urethrocele prolapse of urethra into the vagina.
Urge Incontinence is the urgent need to pass urine and the inability to get to a toilet in time. Occurs when nerve passages along the pathway from the bladder to the brain are damaged, causing a sudden bladder contraction that cannot be consciously inhibited. Stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can all cause urge incontinence. Urge Incontinence is a major symptom of Over Active Bladder (OAB).
Urgency the sensation of having to urinate immediately, which may also be accompanied by pain, pressure or spasms.
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary excretion of urine from one's body. It is often temporary, and it almost always results from an underlying medical condition.
Urodynamics is the investigation of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract, i.e. the bladder and the urethra. Symptoms are particularly unreliable in the study of the lower urinary tract, so the purpose of urodynamics is to confirm objectively the pathology that a person's symptoms would suggest.
Uterine prolapse prolapse of uterus into the vagina
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