All Incontinence Articles

CHICAGO -- A new study suggests less-invasive keyhole surgery for prostate cancer may mean a higher risk for lasting incontinence and impotence when compared with traditional surgery. Laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery is increasingly chosen by men having a cancerous prostate removed. And often it involves the highly marketed da Vinci robotics system. Da Vinci's popularity has been rising even Read more...

U.S. researchers say pelvic floor muscle exercises can help manage urinary incontinence in older women. The study finds improvement reported by 83 percent of the women who underwent a supervised chair-based six-weeklong exercise program focused on identifying, isolating and strengthening muscles that support the pelvic area -- the transversus abdominus, the corset-like swath of muscles that Read more...

Everybody knows exercise is good for you. So the more you do it, the better you should feel, right?Not always.All that lifting, lunging and long-arm crunching can trigger some unusual side effects -- from a pounding headache to an unexpected orgasm to a runny nose."People put a lot of stress on their body they're not used to," said Steven Page, a sports medicine specialist at Brandon Read more...

With some baby boomers now in their 60s, their parents in their 80s or 90s, and people living longer than in the past, there's lots of talk these days about aging. So what are the typical signs of aging, and what signals that something's wrong? "A lot of times, people dismiss things, saying 'Oh, it's OK, because she's getting older,'" said Jennifer Reynolds, manager of Senior Read more...

As many as 25 million Americans suffer from it, but most are too embarrassed even to mention its name. Incontinence. Preparing for the needs of millions of aging baby boomers, Kimberly-Clark Corp. of Irving, Texas,  has redesigned its Depend line of adult underwear for more comfort and protection and launched a comprehensive marketing campaign to break down the stigma. "There's a Read more...

A leading urologist says two common myths about female incontinence -- that it's a natural result of aging and that only surgery can help -- should be dispelled. The urinary disorder, affecting as many as 30 percent of women beyond the age of 60, is now treatable through a variety of medical options, says Dr. Karl Luber, head of Kaiser Permanente's Female Incontinence Program in San Diego. Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideThe treatment and management of urinary incontinence may involve simple exercises, medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery. The goal of treatment is to stop the leakage, or at least to minimize Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideUrinary incontinence is a symptom of other conditions. Any loss of voluntary bladder control can be considered incontinence. Symptoms include: Leaking triggered by laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideYou have a unique medical history. Therefore, it is essential to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and/or experience with urinary incontinence. By Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideThe purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideA risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.It is possible to develop chronic urinary incontinence with or without the risk factors listed below. Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource Guide Urinary incontinence is often a symptom of another condition. It cannot always be prevented. Women can decrease their chances of developing stress incontinence by doing Kegel exercises. This is Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideNational Association For ContinenceAddress:P.O. Box 1019Charleston, SC 29402-1019Phone:1-800-252-3337Internet Address:http://www.nafc.orgDescription of Services Provided:The council provides Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideUrinary incontinence can be a complicated diagnosis because the cause sometimes cannot be fully identified. Your doctor will first ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Cause | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Urinary Incontinence | Resource GuideThere are several types of urinary incontinence and the causes vary depending on the type.Temporary Incontinence Temporary incontinence can be caused by: MedicationsConstipationUrinary Read more...

by Jean Baker Are you a woman who hesitates to play a favorite sport, like golf or tennis, because the exertion sometimes causes "leaks"? Do you find yourself scanning the personal care aisle of the supermarket, shopping for hygiene products you never thought you'd need? You're not alone. Studies indicate that 25% of women in the United States between the ages of 30-59 deal with some form of Read more...

As told to Nancy Hall Urinary incontinence can have any number of causes. For Kay, a 51-year-old mother of two, incontinence is secondary to her mild multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, she discusses the condition that no one wants to talk about. What was your first sign that something was wrong? What symptoms did you experience? Oh, you sort of know this Read more...

(Enuresis, Primary Nocturnal Enuresis, PNE) by Debra Wood, RNDefinitionBed-wetting is involuntary urination during sleep in children over age five. Typically around ages 3 to 5 years, children become able to sleep through the night without wetting. While infection or anatomic abnormalities of the urinary system may explain bed-wetting at night, most cases have no explanation and are referred to Read more...

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MDDefinitionConstipation is infrequent and/or uncomfortable bowel movements. Stool is often hard and dry. It is the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the United States and accounts for 2 million annual visits to the doctor.Causes Constipation has many causes, including: Not enough fluid intakeOveruse of laxative medicinesToo little exerciseBed rest Certain Read more...

Pronounced: En-koh-pree-sis by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MDDefinitionEncopresis is inappropriate loss of control of the bowels. This usually results in stool staining the underwear. In order to be considered encopresis, there is no other physical problem or illness that could be responsible for the loss of stool. Encopresis occurs in children four and older.Causes Causes include: Chronic Read more...