What does incontinence refer to?

Incontinence refers to the inability to control bladder function, which results in involuntary leakage of urine. This condition can be caused by various factors, such as overactive bladder muscles, weak pelvic floor muscles, or nerve damage that affects the signals between the bladder and the brain. The symptoms of incontinence can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, leading to challenges in social and physical activities due to the fear of unexpected accidents.

The other options address different health concerns but do not define incontinence. Enlarged prostate symptoms relate specifically to male reproductive health and can influence urinary function, but they do not capture the broader definition of incontinence itself. Inflammation of the kidney pertains to nephritis, which describes kidney issues but not bladder control. Weakness in the pelvic floor muscles may contribute to incontinence but does not fully encapsulate the condition as a whole. The definition of incontinence focuses specifically on the loss of bladder control rather than the causes or related symptoms.