prolapse
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GC: n

S: OHI – Open Heart International (last access: 18 November 2014); DORLAND p.1525.

N: 1. prolapse (v.): 1736, from Latin prolapsus, past participle of prolabi “glide fdorward, slide along, slip forward or down;” see pro- + lapse (n.). As a noun from 1808.
pro-: word-forming element meaning “forward, forth, toward the front” (as in proclaim, proceed); “beforehand, in advance” (prohibit, provide); “taking care of” (procure); “in place of, on behalf of” (proconsul, pronoun); from Latin pro “on behalf of, in place of, before, for, in exchange for, just as,” which also was used as a prefix.
lapse (n): mid-15c., “elapsing of time, expiration;” also “temporary forfeiture of a legal right,” from Middle French laps “lapse,” from Latin lapsus “a slipping and falling, flight (of time), falling into error,” from labi “to slip, glide, fall.” Meaning “moral transgression, sin” is c.1500; that of “slip of the memory” is 1520s; that of “a falling away from one’s faith” is from 1650s.
2. Prolapse is caused by weakening of tissues that support the pelvic organs. This happens for a number of reasons.
In many women, the strain of childbirth weakens these tissues. Up to half of all women who have had children are affected by some degree of prolapse.
3. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of prolapse, including:

  • doing regular pelvic floor exercises
  • maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you are overweight
  • eating a high-fibre diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain bread and cereal to avoid constipation and straining when going to the toilet
  • avoiding heavy lifting

If you smoke, stopping smoking may also help reduce your risk of a prolapse.
4. The main types of prolapse are:

  • anterior prolapse (cystocoele), where the bladder bulges into the front wall of the vagina
  • prolapse of the cervix or top of the vagina, where the cervix or uterus drops, and can be the result of previous treatment to remove the womb (hysterectomy)
  • posterior wall prolapse (rectocoele or enterocoele), when the bowel bulges forward into the back wall of the vagina.

S: 1. OED (last access: 18 November 2014). 2 to 4. NHS – http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Prolapse-of-the-uterus/Pages/Introduction.aspx (last access: 18 November 2014).

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CR: hysterectomy, protrusion, tenesmus.