Friday, October 13, 2006
Briefly: What Older Women Want
According to a recent survey, What Older Women Want, women aged 55 to 95 rated female urinariy incontinence as #5 among the top 10 unmet health priorities.
Female Urinary Incontinence Depression (Something to Watch)
Its critical that women suffering from female urinary incontinence come to grips with this challenge, become educated and work with thier doctors and nurses to treat it straight away. The costs personally and societally of living in denial (or worse becoming trapped by the condition) are worth considering.
As we peer more and more into the areas of research and attention around female incontinence, we begin to understand more about the statistics.
The statistics can be taken in several different ways, one must understand that they reveal observations about what can happen when the problem is not addressed in the fashion that it needs to be in order for those suffering from it to cope with it effectively. Further pressing is to help those women in the 18-44 age range suffering from female urinary incontinence to get treatment right away -- sooner in some cases some might argue -- than women in older age groups.
In this past April's issue of Psychosomatics (2006:47 pages 147-151), a two doctors in a Canadian community health study observed the prevalence of depression in women with urinary incontinence to be 15.5% (30% in women ages 18–44) compared to only 9.2% in women without urinary incontinence.
Accoding to the Authors, Vigod and Stewart from the University of Toronto, the combined impact of urinary incontinence and major depression exceeds the impact of either condition alone
As we peer more and more into the areas of research and attention around female incontinence, we begin to understand more about the statistics.
The statistics can be taken in several different ways, one must understand that they reveal observations about what can happen when the problem is not addressed in the fashion that it needs to be in order for those suffering from it to cope with it effectively. Further pressing is to help those women in the 18-44 age range suffering from female urinary incontinence to get treatment right away -- sooner in some cases some might argue -- than women in older age groups.
In this past April's issue of Psychosomatics (2006:47 pages 147-151), a two doctors in a Canadian community health study observed the prevalence of depression in women with urinary incontinence to be 15.5% (30% in women ages 18–44) compared to only 9.2% in women without urinary incontinence.
Accoding to the Authors, Vigod and Stewart from the University of Toronto, the combined impact of urinary incontinence and major depression exceeds the impact of either condition alone
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Additional Treatments for Women Only
There were two more items that just would have made the previous two postings too long but are still very, very important
A "throw away patch" therapy available for women only. The patch is sold under the brands UroMed or Miniguard Patch. The patch is about the size of a quarter and is sticky on one side. The purpose of this patch is for the patient to put the sticky side over their urinary opening.
The purpose of the patch is simply to hold in urine. While its not a great soluton for women with heavy leakage -- and may not always control medium leakage. Its suggested that women experiencing anything other than a light leakage, to use a pad designed to absorb this level of leakage. Normally, the patch can be used for two to three hours at a time during the day, and all night long. When its time to urinate, the patch is removed and replaced after urination.
Also there is the Reliance Urinary Control Insert. This is a very small device -- a plug of sorts that helps prevent leakage -- that must be prescribed by a doctor. It is to be placed in a partient's urethra, removed before urination, and replaced with a new one after urination.
A "throw away patch" therapy available for women only. The patch is sold under the brands UroMed or Miniguard Patch. The patch is about the size of a quarter and is sticky on one side. The purpose of this patch is for the patient to put the sticky side over their urinary opening.
The purpose of the patch is simply to hold in urine. While its not a great soluton for women with heavy leakage -- and may not always control medium leakage. Its suggested that women experiencing anything other than a light leakage, to use a pad designed to absorb this level of leakage. Normally, the patch can be used for two to three hours at a time during the day, and all night long. When its time to urinate, the patch is removed and replaced after urination.
Also there is the Reliance Urinary Control Insert. This is a very small device -- a plug of sorts that helps prevent leakage -- that must be prescribed by a doctor. It is to be placed in a partient's urethra, removed before urination, and replaced with a new one after urination.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Female Urinary Incontinence Part Two: Electro Stimulation, Vaginal Devices, Surgery
Female Urinary Incontinence Part Two: Electro Stimulation, Vaginal Devices, Surgery
This article covers electrical stimulation, vaginal devices and surgery to treat female incontinence. For information on behavioral treatments and drugs to treat female incontinence, please see “Part One” of this article series.
Female Urinary Incontinence (“Incontinence” or “Female Incontinence”) is a condition shared by millions of women. The condition manifests itself differently in different women; some women may lose a few drops of urine while doing something as mundane as running or coughing while others may feel a sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine.
Understanding Female Incontinence
Incontinence can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the risk of public embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities with their family and friends. This article briefly explores how to deal with this condition.
Female Incontinence is a medical problem. A medical professional is best equipped to prescribe the solution that best fits an individual’s lifestyle preferences. While no single treatment works for everyone, most women can be treated without surgery.
Treating Female Incontinence
Many women try simpler treatment options first, such as modifying their habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these behavioral treatments do not work, the next steps are to investigate medication or vaginal devices. Sometimes mild electrical stimulation to the pelvic nerves may help. For some women, however, surgery is the best solution.
Electrical Stimulation for Nerve Problems
Mild electrical pulses can be used to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder and sphincter muscles. Depending on which nerves the doctor plans to treat, these pulses can be given through the vagina or by using patches on the skin. Other forms of electrical stimulation or neuromodulation are also available.
Vaginal Devices for Stress Incontinence Treatment
A pessary is a stiff ring that is inserted by a doctor or nurse into the vagina, where it presses against the wall of the vagina and the nearby urethra. The pressure helps reposition the urethra, leading to less stress leakage. The use of a pessary, dictates vigilance and observation on the part of patient and doctor to be on the watch for vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Injections for Stress Incontinence Treatment
Collagen (or a similar “bulking agent”) is injected into tissues around the bladder neck and urethra to add bulk and close the bladder opening to reduce stress incontinence. After using local anesthesia or sedation, a doctor can inject the material in about half an hour. Over time, the body slowly eliminates the collagen, so repeat injections may be needed.
Surgery for Stress Incontinence Treatment
Surgeons have developed different techniques for supporting the bladder in its normal position. The two main types of surgery are retropubic suspension and the sling procedure. According to the National Institutes of Health, surgeons report that the retropubic suspension and sling procedures cure stress incontinence for at least 4 years in more than 80 percent of their cases. Possible side effects include persistent stress incontinence, bladder overactivity, and voiding changes.
This article covers electrical stimulation, vaginal devices and surgery to treat female incontinence. For information on behavioral treatments and drugs to treat female incontinence, please see “Part One” of this article series.
Female Urinary Incontinence (“Incontinence” or “Female Incontinence”) is a condition shared by millions of women. The condition manifests itself differently in different women; some women may lose a few drops of urine while doing something as mundane as running or coughing while others may feel a sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine.
Understanding Female Incontinence
Incontinence can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the risk of public embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities with their family and friends. This article briefly explores how to deal with this condition.
Female Incontinence is a medical problem. A medical professional is best equipped to prescribe the solution that best fits an individual’s lifestyle preferences. While no single treatment works for everyone, most women can be treated without surgery.
Treating Female Incontinence
Many women try simpler treatment options first, such as modifying their habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these behavioral treatments do not work, the next steps are to investigate medication or vaginal devices. Sometimes mild electrical stimulation to the pelvic nerves may help. For some women, however, surgery is the best solution.
Electrical Stimulation for Nerve Problems
Mild electrical pulses can be used to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder and sphincter muscles. Depending on which nerves the doctor plans to treat, these pulses can be given through the vagina or by using patches on the skin. Other forms of electrical stimulation or neuromodulation are also available.
Vaginal Devices for Stress Incontinence Treatment
A pessary is a stiff ring that is inserted by a doctor or nurse into the vagina, where it presses against the wall of the vagina and the nearby urethra. The pressure helps reposition the urethra, leading to less stress leakage. The use of a pessary, dictates vigilance and observation on the part of patient and doctor to be on the watch for vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Injections for Stress Incontinence Treatment
Collagen (or a similar “bulking agent”) is injected into tissues around the bladder neck and urethra to add bulk and close the bladder opening to reduce stress incontinence. After using local anesthesia or sedation, a doctor can inject the material in about half an hour. Over time, the body slowly eliminates the collagen, so repeat injections may be needed.
Surgery for Stress Incontinence Treatment
Surgeons have developed different techniques for supporting the bladder in its normal position. The two main types of surgery are retropubic suspension and the sling procedure. According to the National Institutes of Health, surgeons report that the retropubic suspension and sling procedures cure stress incontinence for at least 4 years in more than 80 percent of their cases. Possible side effects include persistent stress incontinence, bladder overactivity, and voiding changes.
- Regarding surgery and surgeons, the National Institutes of Health make four recommendations
- Determine with a medical professional whether surgery will help your condition and what type of surgery is best.
- The selected procedure could depend on your own preferences or on your surgeon's experience; understand the difference between those two things.
- Understand what post-procedure expectations are (for example, recovery or complications)
- Talk with someone who has recently undergone the procedure under consideration
Female Urinary Incontinence Research Part One: Bladder Retraining, Kegel Exercises, and Drug Treatment
This post covers behavioral treatments and drugs to treat female incontinence. For information on electrical stimulation, vaginal devices and surgery to treat female incontinence please see “Part One” of this article series.
Female Urinary Incontinence (“Incontinence” or “Female Incontinence”) is a condition shared by millions of women. The condition manifests itself differently in different women; some women may lose a few drops of urine while doing something as mundane as running or coughing while others may feel a sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine.
Understanding Female Incontinence
Incontinence can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the risk of public embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities with their family and friends. This article briefly explores how to deal with this condition.
Female Incontinence is a medical problem. A medical professional is best equipped to prescribe the solution that best fits an individual’s lifestyle preferences. While no single treatment works for everyone, most women can be treated without surgery.
Treating Female Incontinence
Many women try simpler treatment options first, such as modifying their habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these behavioral treatments do not work, the next steps are to investigate medication or vaginal devices. Sometimes mild electrical stimulation to the pelvic nerves may help. For some women, however, surgery is the best solution.
Female Incontinence: Bladder Retraining and Kegel Exercises
Some medical professions work with their patients to have them keep bladder diary—a record of your fluid intake, trips to the bathroom, episodes of urine leakage, and an estimate of the amount of leakage. A review of this record helps doctors and nurses identify treatable patterns and they may suggest day-scheduling changes such as using the bathroom at regular timed intervals (“timed voiding”). Behavioral treatment also includes Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles that help hold in urine.
Female Incontinence: Drugs and Treatment
Overactive bladder occurs when abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning. Normally, a woman might void up to 12 times a day, but women with overactive bladder may find that they must urinate more frequently. Specifically, the symptoms of overactive bladder include
• urinary frequency—urination 13 or more times a day or 2 or more times at night
• urinary urgency—the sudden, strong need to urinate immediately
• urge incontinence—leakage or gushing of urine that follows a sudden, strong urge
In these situations, a doctor can prescribe medications medicine to block the nerve signals that cause frequent urination and urgency. These “bladder relaxants” relax muscles and prevent bladder spasms; two medications available today in that category are Ditropan and Detrol. Both medications come in normal and extended relief, long lasting strengths (Ditropan XL or Detrol LA).
Additionally, Tofranil, an antidepressant that relaxes bladder muscles and tightens urethral muscles, may be used instead of (or in combination with) Ditropan XL or Detrol LA.
The most common side effects (read the medication warnings for a full listing of the side effects) include dry mouth. If medication is your treatment route for female incontinence, several precautions are recommended:
• Wear sunglasses if your eyes become more sensitive to light.
• Take care not to become overheated.
• Chew gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to avoid dry mouth.
Different medicines can affect the nerves and muscles of the urinary tract in different ways. Pills to treat swelling (edema) or high blood pressure may increase urine output and contribute to bladder control problems. An educated conversation with a medical professional could result in a switch to an alternate medication that could solve the problem without adding another prescription.
Female Urinary Incontinence (“Incontinence” or “Female Incontinence”) is a condition shared by millions of women. The condition manifests itself differently in different women; some women may lose a few drops of urine while doing something as mundane as running or coughing while others may feel a sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine.
Understanding Female Incontinence
Incontinence can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the risk of public embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities with their family and friends. This article briefly explores how to deal with this condition.
Female Incontinence is a medical problem. A medical professional is best equipped to prescribe the solution that best fits an individual’s lifestyle preferences. While no single treatment works for everyone, most women can be treated without surgery.
Treating Female Incontinence
Many women try simpler treatment options first, such as modifying their habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these behavioral treatments do not work, the next steps are to investigate medication or vaginal devices. Sometimes mild electrical stimulation to the pelvic nerves may help. For some women, however, surgery is the best solution.
Female Incontinence: Bladder Retraining and Kegel Exercises
Some medical professions work with their patients to have them keep bladder diary—a record of your fluid intake, trips to the bathroom, episodes of urine leakage, and an estimate of the amount of leakage. A review of this record helps doctors and nurses identify treatable patterns and they may suggest day-scheduling changes such as using the bathroom at regular timed intervals (“timed voiding”). Behavioral treatment also includes Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles that help hold in urine.
Female Incontinence: Drugs and Treatment
Overactive bladder occurs when abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning. Normally, a woman might void up to 12 times a day, but women with overactive bladder may find that they must urinate more frequently. Specifically, the symptoms of overactive bladder include
• urinary frequency—urination 13 or more times a day or 2 or more times at night
• urinary urgency—the sudden, strong need to urinate immediately
• urge incontinence—leakage or gushing of urine that follows a sudden, strong urge
In these situations, a doctor can prescribe medications medicine to block the nerve signals that cause frequent urination and urgency. These “bladder relaxants” relax muscles and prevent bladder spasms; two medications available today in that category are Ditropan and Detrol. Both medications come in normal and extended relief, long lasting strengths (Ditropan XL or Detrol LA).
Additionally, Tofranil, an antidepressant that relaxes bladder muscles and tightens urethral muscles, may be used instead of (or in combination with) Ditropan XL or Detrol LA.
The most common side effects (read the medication warnings for a full listing of the side effects) include dry mouth. If medication is your treatment route for female incontinence, several precautions are recommended:
• Wear sunglasses if your eyes become more sensitive to light.
• Take care not to become overheated.
• Chew gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to avoid dry mouth.
Different medicines can affect the nerves and muscles of the urinary tract in different ways. Pills to treat swelling (edema) or high blood pressure may increase urine output and contribute to bladder control problems. An educated conversation with a medical professional could result in a switch to an alternate medication that could solve the problem without adding another prescription.
Understanding Urinary Incontinence in Women: Stress Incontinence Urge Incontinence
Background
Female urinary incontinence (“incontinence” for the purposes of this article) is an inability to hold your urine until you get to a toilet. Women experience incontinence twice as often as men. Four natural factors account for this difference: (1) pregnancy, (2) childbirth, (3) menopause, and (4) the basic structure of the female urinary tract. Women can also become incontinent from neurologic injury, birth defects, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and physical problems associated with aging.
While older women, more often than younger women, experience incontinence; incontinence is not inevitable with age. Incontinence is treatable and often curable at all ages.
Incontinence: Overcome Embarrassment and Take Control
Most women who experience incontinence might feel embarrassed and don’t realize that loss of bladder control can be treated. A near term goal should be to overcome that embarrassment and see a doctor and learn about the treatments available for this underlying medical condition.
Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence
Incontinence in women usually occurs because of problems with muscles that help to hold or release urine. Incontinence will occur if your bladder muscles suddenly contract or muscles surrounding the urethra suddenly relax. Most often women are dealing with either Stress Incontinence or Urge Incontinence.
Stress Incontinence: When coughing, laughing, sneezing (or other movements that put pressure on the bladder) cause urine “leaks,” stress incontinence may be the root cause. Stress Incontinence, the most common form of treatable female incontinence, is often a result from the physical changes brought on by pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
Stress incontinence can worsen during the week prior to a woman’s menstrual period when lowered estrogen levels might lead to lower muscular pressure around the urethra, increasing chances of leakage. The incidence of stress incontinence increases following menopause.
Urge Incontinence: This condition is a loss of urine for no apparent reason while suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate. The most common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate bladder contractions (often described by medical professionals as an "unstable," "spastic," or "overactive" bladder). It might be diagnosed as "reflex incontinence" if it results from overactive nerves controlling the bladder.
Urge incontinence can mean that your bladder empties during sleep, after drinking a small amount of water, or when you touch water or hear it running (as when washing dishes or hearing someone else taking a shower).
Involuntary actions of bladder muscles can occur because of damage to the nerves of the bladder, to the nervous system (spinal cord and brain), or to the muscles themselves. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and injury—including injury that occurs during surgery—all can harm bladder nerves or muscles.
Female urinary incontinence (“incontinence” for the purposes of this article) is an inability to hold your urine until you get to a toilet. Women experience incontinence twice as often as men. Four natural factors account for this difference: (1) pregnancy, (2) childbirth, (3) menopause, and (4) the basic structure of the female urinary tract. Women can also become incontinent from neurologic injury, birth defects, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and physical problems associated with aging.
While older women, more often than younger women, experience incontinence; incontinence is not inevitable with age. Incontinence is treatable and often curable at all ages.
Incontinence: Overcome Embarrassment and Take Control
Most women who experience incontinence might feel embarrassed and don’t realize that loss of bladder control can be treated. A near term goal should be to overcome that embarrassment and see a doctor and learn about the treatments available for this underlying medical condition.
Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence
Incontinence in women usually occurs because of problems with muscles that help to hold or release urine. Incontinence will occur if your bladder muscles suddenly contract or muscles surrounding the urethra suddenly relax. Most often women are dealing with either Stress Incontinence or Urge Incontinence.
Stress Incontinence: When coughing, laughing, sneezing (or other movements that put pressure on the bladder) cause urine “leaks,” stress incontinence may be the root cause. Stress Incontinence, the most common form of treatable female incontinence, is often a result from the physical changes brought on by pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
Stress incontinence can worsen during the week prior to a woman’s menstrual period when lowered estrogen levels might lead to lower muscular pressure around the urethra, increasing chances of leakage. The incidence of stress incontinence increases following menopause.
Urge Incontinence: This condition is a loss of urine for no apparent reason while suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate. The most common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate bladder contractions (often described by medical professionals as an "unstable," "spastic," or "overactive" bladder). It might be diagnosed as "reflex incontinence" if it results from overactive nerves controlling the bladder.
Urge incontinence can mean that your bladder empties during sleep, after drinking a small amount of water, or when you touch water or hear it running (as when washing dishes or hearing someone else taking a shower).
Involuntary actions of bladder muscles can occur because of damage to the nerves of the bladder, to the nervous system (spinal cord and brain), or to the muscles themselves. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and injury—including injury that occurs during surgery—all can harm bladder nerves or muscles.
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