Urinary Inconvenience…The elephant in the room
Urinary inconvenience…just another euphemism for the elephant in the room. Yet a surprising 85% of men and women over the age of 40 experience inconvenient untimely urinary leaks in some degree or another. It’s no wonder supermarkets have shelves and shelves of panty liners and shields of all shapes and sizes. Yet for all the space those items take up in stores, carts, and closets, not much space is given in our conversations to learn more about this. Maybe its mention will make it worse? Maybe we’ll feel we’ve lost our youth? Maybe we didn’t realize that young’uns with a mere 40 years on them could have begun to lose bladder viability? Or that 85% of adults suffer with this? Whatever the hang-up about this subject, knowledge is power, so let’s learn a little more about this common condition. (Some of the tips below might seem like just plain old common sense, but I never thought #6 was possible. Is there one you’re surprised to see listed?) In the September edition of TriVita’s VitaJournal, obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Brittany Stam provides considerable information and tips about this common problem. According to Dr. Stam, the involuntary leakage of urine is a problem affecting 200 million people worldwide. Of the 25 million Americans suffering from some form of this challenge, 75-80% of these are women. In Canada, this number is an estimated 3.3 million which is an astounding 10% of the population! Don’t be like those other 11 people. Despite the high success rates in treating incontinence, research shows that only one out of every 12 people affected seeks help. Don’t be like those other 11 people. According to studies by the National Association for Continence, on average, women wait six and one-half years from the first time they experience symptoms until they get a diagnosis for their bladder management problems. It’s apparent that many of us are embarrassed and remaining silent. The truth is that while this is twice as common in women as men, men are also affected. Among men, 11-34% of those over age 65 have some form of this “plumbing problem”. Still, medical literature indicates that only 22% of men will seek care for it, compared with 45% of women. What men and women both need to understand is that there are many effective management options for this dilemma. THREE TYPES OF URINARY LEAKAGE, VARYING TREATMENTS There are three basic types: Stress: People with stress leakage of urine when they laugh, cough, sneeze or do anything that “stresses” the belly. Stress is most common in women. Urge: People with urgency feel a strong, sudden need to urinate. Often the urge is so strong that they can’t make it to the bathroom in time. Mixed: People with symptoms of both “stress” and “urge.” The choice of treatment depends on the type and severity of the problem you have and what fits your lifestyle. The best approach is often to try natural methods and lifestyle changes first before moving on to medications and possibly surgery. NATURAL METHODS TO DECREASE SYMPTOMS 1) Reduce the amount of liquid you drink, especially a few hours before bed. 2) Cut down on any foods or drinks that make your symptoms worse (alcohol, caffeine, or spicy or acidic foods). 3) Quit smoking. 4) If you are overweight, lose weight. 5) If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. 6) Train your bladder by urinating on a set schedule; slowly extend the time between bathroom trips. ONE SPECIAL EXERCISE Exercises for your pelvic floor muscles called Kegels are a great way for women to...
Read MoreBladder: Key to a winning season
™ Football season is upon us; many of us will be squeezed into bleachers to root for our favorite team, hoping for a flawless season. If the score is close enough, the stands will stay packed. No self-respecting fan would consider leaving a seat except to rise, wave team colors, and scream until it hurts. Until… Oh Oh! The ball is passed to the very poorest player on the team, Weak Bladder. His name isn’t a household word, but you know it’s Bladder because he’s wearing #1 on his jersey. Weak Bladder now becomes the key player in the stadium, causing a mad dash to the restroom. If you haven’t been tackled by fellow teammates (85% of the over 40 crowd are in this league) and fans, you find a serpentine line of those who are stomping their feet and crossing their legs, all in hopes of making it to the most coveted seat in the stadium…the toilet…and all in hopes to scoring a winning “touchdown.” All the rush and excitement you’re experiencing is much like what’s happening near the goal post outside. But sometimes it doesn’t end well. Bladder has the ball, is dashing to the end zone, straight for the goal posts for the winning play, with no one near him. With just seconds to go, there’s a lot of hoopla in the stands when the disappointment takes over. Bladder fumbles and drops the ball! Oh, so close! How many times have you been on your way home with the slight urge to “go”? With confidence, you pass up rest stops and public facilities along the way, certain you can make it to the comfort and privacy of your own personal “locker room”? You enter your home to discover that the distance to your bathroom has seemingly expanded to be the length of a football field. You drop your keys, packages, and maybe even the toddler you’ve been toting, so that you can drop your drawers, or your fly, in time. The excitement is overwhelming! You’ve made it to the end zone! Will there be a touchdown? It’s a … Aw…a fumble! What could have been a perfectly executed drop kick to the goal post becomes an uncomfortable, inconvenient drip. Or several. Often more than several. What was to be a victory dance has become a time to sing “Locker Room Blues” while taking an extra shower and changing into fresh clothes. Maybe having #1 on Bladder’s jersey is a bad idea. No matter what your favorite sport or pastime, having these “special events” is just no fun at all. Yet there are a few strategies to strengthen your weak bladder and enjoy your time away from home. Some are easy and well-known, yet at least one player has been recruited recently to keep you in your game. I am an Independent TriVita Business Owner with TriVita, and I am proud to announce a new strong leader on the wellness playing field: TriVita’s Bladder Shield™. Note that it’s jersey number is 24/7. Shield yourself with confidence. Healthy bladder function is important for health and vitality; unfortunately, as many as 25 million adults may experience some form of bladder weakness, including the frequent urge to “go”. This can negatively affect emotional health—and reduce quality of life.1-3 Designed to give you back your confidence, Bladder Shield is backed by modern science to support a strong bladder, comfort and function. Available in easy-to-swallow capsules, Bladder Shield™ offers a proprietary blend of traditional herbs from India, China and Europe, including: Lindera extract—this root has a long history of use in traditional Chinese...
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