Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence is a form of bladder weakness that occurs as a result of flow impediment of urine. At this form of incontinence the bladder is constantly overfilled and urine seeps dribs and drabs from the bladder. Although the bladder is filled and people feel a strong urge to urinate, emptying the bladder is not possible.

Causes of overflow incontinence are often drainage barriers of the bladder such as tumors (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Also neurological disorders which go hand in hand with a relaxation of the muscular detrusor can cause an overflow incontinence.

An overflow incontinece can cause a reflux of urine into the ureters and kidneys and the risk of renal insufficiency up to uremia increases.

The therapy primarily consists of the elimination of the causes combined with the use of intermittent self catheterization.