Powder Room Talk

Exercise Beneficial to the Aging Process

2012-02-29T14:58:00.002-05:00

As we have reached the third month of the year I wanted to check in and ask the age old question, "have you been keeping up with your new year's resolutions?"

no? yes? Either way - here's some reasons from physical therapist Joanne O'Connor as to why we should strive to stay fit and exercise throughout the years: http://www.nafc.org/library/articles/exercise-beneficial-to-aging/

Resolutions

2012-02-03T11:38:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! With the new year brings new year's resolutions. Do you have a new year's resolution? Is it to lose weight? If so - here are some additional reasons to lose weight to help your incontinence of overactive bladder:

Obesity can lead to incontinence in females. Obesity contributes to symptoms because excessive weight leads to higher abdominal pressures, which can more easily force urine out of the bladder as leakage. This extra weight can also lead to more bladder muscle irritability and urgency incontiennce, or sudden need to empty the bladder but insufficient time to safely reach the toilet. Most experts today regard weight loss as a first-line treatment recommendation for urinary incontinence in those people who are excessively overweight or obese.

Here are some helpful weightloss tips from our friends at the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01625

Updated Educational Materials

2011-12-13T16:42:00.001-05:00

This quarter the staff at the National Association For Continence has been busy updating educational pamphlets and web sections. NAFC recently updated the educational pamphlets: Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Non-Surgical Treatments for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence and Surgical Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence, Incontinence: What Every Woman Should Know and Bladder Retraining. The Bladder Retraining pamphlet, complete with a continence chart, provides individuals who urinate frequently a six week program to retrain their bladder. It also provides effective ways to control sudden urges to use the bathroom. The Incontinence: What Every Woman Should Know pamphlet provides information about the types of bladder and bowel control problems and ways in which women can proactively maintain bladder control. Treatments for women who do have incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders are also described. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse pamphlet defines all of the types of pelvic organ prolapse in women. It also provides education on the use of pessaries as well as reconstructive surgery. The Surgical Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence pamphlet provides an overview of surgical options for women confronted with involuntary leakage of urine. It includes information on various surgical techniques and what to expect in the recovery phase. The Non-Surgical Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence provides an overview of behavioral and non-surgical treatment options for women confronted with involuntary leakage of urine. The pamphlet includes a detailed explanation of how to do pelvic muscle exercises.In addition to the “Tools for Patients” web section to assist patients and physicians with fully informed consent in the shared decision making process in choosing a treatment, NAFC has added a new web section on “Bladder Retraining”. The web section on “Bladder Retraining” is dedicated to the six week program on retraining the bladder and those with urge incontinence or overactive bladder. The new web section allows consumers to access the Bladder Retraining pamphlet and voiding diary straight from their computer. To access please visit: http://www.nafc.org/tools-for-patients/or email memberservices@nafc.org for copies of the pamphlets!

Mark Your Calendar for Bladder Health Week 2011

2011-11-03T11:35:00.003-04:00

The Bladder Health Awareness Campaign, an undertaking by the National Association For Continence, is inspired by the 25 million people in the United States who suffer from bladder health issues. Individuals will be able to take an active role in their bladder health through awareness-raising activities and educational events during Bladder Health Week on November 14-18, 2011. The goal of this campaign is to get people talking and communicating about the topic of bladder health.
New multi-media tools and social media networks have been launched and dedicated to people with bladder health issues and their caregivers who are looking to connect with health care professionals, and to each other. Individuals are encouraged to sign the campaign pledge to show their commitment to raising public awareness about bladder health. Help us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures by November 14, National Bladder Health Week.

2011 Bladder Health Week Schedule

Monday, November 14
Overactive Bladder
Web articles covering different aspects of overactive bladder

Tuesday, November 15
Shared Decision Making
Webinar covering the importance of a patient and health care provider deciding on treatment together

Wednesday, November 16
Women’s Pelvic Health: Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Live Twitter chat with Dr. Lauri Romanzi, clinical associate professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical College. Her specialty is urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery.

Thursday, November 17
Bladder Retraining
Webinar covering how it is possible to gain back control by retraining your bladder

Friday, November 18
Men’s Pelvic Health: Post Prostatectomy Incontinence
Web articles focused on men’s pelvic health following surgery for prostate cancer

Task Force of Women who have had SUI or POP Surgery

2011-09-23T11:26:00.004-04:00

At the National Association for Continence, we are interested in forming a task force for women who have had surgery for stress urinary incontinence or prolapse within the last 10 years.
We would like your help in working together to create better tools for patients to use when talking with their doctor and sharing in the decision making process.
If you are interested in being a part of this task force to help educate women on how to communicate with their doctors regarding surgical procedures for stress urinary incontinence or prolapse please email memberservices@nafc.org for more information.

Thanks - hope everyone has a great weekend!

FDA Communications Regarding Transvaginal Mesh

2011-09-02T08:33:00.006-04:00

In October of 2008, the FDA put out a Public Health Notification of Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh in Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence. You can read about the Public Health Notification here: p://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm061976.htm

In July of 2011, the FDA put out an Updated Safety Communication on Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh in Repair for Pelvic Organ Prolapse. You can read more about the Updated Safety Communication here: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm262435.htm .

The FDA Recomments that Patients:

Ask the surgeon before surgery about all Pevlic Organ Prolapse treatment options, including those that do not involve mesh, and understand why the surgeon may be recommending treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse with mesh;

Continue with routine check-ups and follow-up care after surgery. Notify the surgeon if complications develop (persistant vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic or groin pain during sex); and

Those who have had Pelvic Organ Prolapse surgery but don't know if the surgeon used mesh should find out if mesh was used during their next scheduled visit with their health care provider.

The FDA also announced that an outside panel of experts in obstetrics and gynecology will meet on September 8th and 9th, 2011, to discuss the safety and effectiveness of surgical mesh used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a leakage during physical activity. The panel will discuss the risk of transvaginal POP repair, clinical studies that may be necessary to address risk and benefits of this type of surgery, and the FDA's interim recommendations for health care professionals and patients.

Bowel Health: Managing Chronic Constipation Webinar

2011-08-23T15:17:00.004-04:00

NAFC has been hosting a series of educational webinars aimed specifically at women. Our last webinar was entitled "Bowel Health: Managing Chronic Constipation." You can watch a recorded version of the live event on NAFC's website here: http://www.nafc.org/library/webinars/bowel-health-managing-chronic-constipation-webinar-2/ .

Take a look at this video for some great useful information.

Be sure to share with your family and friends!

Bladder Health Awareness Campaign

2011-07-26T12:06:00.003-04:00

NAFC has launched a new campaign website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel to promote bladder health education, advocacy, and awareness. These new multi-media tools are dedicated to people with bladder health issues and their caregivers who are looking to connect with healthcare professionals, and to each other. Informative blogs and articles written by leading bladder health experts will be featured and updated regularly on the new website.

Individuals will be able to take an active role in their bladder helath through awareness-raising activities and educational events leading up to, and during, Bladder Health Week on November 14-18, 2011. News about Bladder Health Awareness campaign activities will be shared through Facebook and Twitter (@BladderHealth). Check out the new Bladder Health Facebook page to learn who won the "Bladder Health Logo Contest" and why a hummingbird was used in the design. Be sure to click "LIKE" when you visit the new Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/BladderHealth

Tips for "Holding It"

2011-07-08T10:59:00.002-04:00

1. play mind games
2. do another activity
3. sit down
4. slowly walk to the bathroom ten minutes later

do these work for you?
let us know

hope everyone has a great weekend.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery #7

2011-06-30T16:40:00.002-04:00

What risks do I face and how serious are they?

What is the likelihood that I can encounter these risks?

Hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend! Happy 4th of July!

Questions to Ask Before Surgery: #6

2011-06-21T13:04:00.002-04:00

What is my recovery time likely to be? Do I need to continue to do pelvic muscle exercises? How soon can I resume my exercise routine? Am I at risk of “undoing” something? What is the likelihood that I will face having this procedure repeated?

Questions to Ask Before Surgery: #5

2011-06-09T16:03:00.000-04:00

Are you recommending a procedure that involves an artificial tape or device that is being implanted? Since there are now several varieties available to doctors, why have you selected this particular one for my case?

Questions to Ask Before Surgery: #4

2011-06-01T11:37:00.001-04:00

Will I encounter new problems, such as urine retention or urgency? How might my sexual relations be impacted by this procedure?

Video Post on Pessary Care

2011-05-09T16:07:00.003-04:00

Let's hear from Lynette Franklin, clincial nurse specialist in the Department of Urology at the Medical University of South Carolina, about how to care for one's pessary. If you are using a pessary, this video can help clarify any questions you have about caring for the device. If you're seeking treatment for pelvic organ prolapse, this video help you learn about what's involved with using a pessary to manage prolapse. Pessaries are a non-surgical option for treating prolapse.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery: #3

2011-04-28T10:18:00.000-04:00

Am I more or less likely to have a better outcome by means of a different procedure? Is there a difference for the diagnosis you have found in my case between an abdominal versus vaginal approach to surgery?

Clinical Trials

2011-04-06T11:09:00.004-04:00

At NAFC, we've been talking recently about clinical trials. A clinical trial is a research study intended to test the safety and effectiveness of a new device and/or medication. If you are considering participating in a clinical trial, it is important that you understand the entire process and possible risks.

Have you ever participated in a clinical trial before? Would you consider participating in one?

You can read more about the clinical trial process here. To find a clinical trial related to bladder and/or bowel control, visit our Finding a Clinical Trial page.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery: Part 2

2011-03-24T17:33:00.000-04:00

What is the outcome that doctors collectively have experienced? What percent of women are completely “dry” and free of leakage following surgery? What additional percent experience improvement in their symptoms? What are your experiences in your clinical practice?

Question to Ask Before Surgery: Part 1

2011-03-17T15:31:00.005-04:00

We're going to do a series of posts on questions to consider asking your surgeon before surgery. It is important that you are educated on any procedure that you are going to have and that you are comfortable with your surgeon. Each post will contain a question that you should ask to find out more about the procedure and your physician.

How many procedures of this particular kind are being performed annually in this country? Worldwide? How many have you performed?

Video Post!

2011-03-02T13:21:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of pelvic organ prolapse, but aren't quite sure what causes it? Take a peek at the video below. In this video, I'm interviewing Dr. Eric Rovner, professor of urology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Let's get his take on prolpase.

Combating Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Women

2011-02-17T15:06:00.001-05:00

In 2010, NAFC held a monthly webinar series. The last webinar we held in November was called "Combating Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Women." You can watch a recorded version of the live event on NAFC’s website. Take a look at this video for some great (and useful) information about prevention and treatment of UTIs. Be sure to share this with your friends!

Watch the video here!

Finding the Right Specialist

2011-02-09T17:19:00.002-05:00

When you are looking for a qualified specialist for yourself or someone you care for, ask the following questions before you make an appointment. Unless the receptionist answers "yes" to the majority of the ten questions, you should call another specialist.

1. Does the specialist have a particular interest and training in the diagnosis and management of incontinence problems?
2. Does the specialist have the ability to do special office testing of bladder function to help determine the cause of incontinence?
3. Do other health professionals refer incontinent patients to this specialist?
4. Does the specialist have experience in the treatment of patients who have had previous unsuccessful attempts at correcting their incontinence?
5. Is the specialist experienced with nonsurgical forms of treatment for incontinence, such as pelvic muscle exercises, behavioral therapy, intermittent self-catheterization, etc.?
6. Does the specialist teach other health professionals about the diagnosis and treatment of incontinence?
7. Is the specialist experienced in the evaluation of patients for the implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter?
8. Is the specialist experienced in the evaluation and treatment of incontinence related to birth defects, such as spina bifida, and accidents that cause spinal injury or bladder damage?
9. If my incontinence cannot be cured, can the specialist or someone in the office tell me about printed information, support groups, and/or management alternatives that will make life with this condition more comfortable?
10. Does the specialist know about the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Adults and about the National Association For Continence (NAFC), formerly Help for Incontinent People (HIP)?

Fall Prevention Awareness Week

2010-09-21T14:57:00.005-04:00

Do you have a parent or relative over the age of 65? Did you know that one-third of people over the age of 65 fall every year, and 50 percent of those are 80 or older? It's Fall Prevention Awareness Week, and NAFC wants to help spread the word. Risk factors for falls include: muscle weakness, a history of falls, gait and balance problems, the need to use a walker or cane, visual impairment, arthritis, difficulties doing activities of daily living (bathing, toileting, dressing, and transferring), depression, cognitive impairment or memory problems, and age greater than 80.

Falls can also happen as a result of bladder and bowel control problems. The possibility of falling is present as someone rushes to the bathroom with the urge to urinate or as someone walks to the bathroom in the dark multiple times during the night. Below are some tips to help prevent falls due to nocturia. Pass these tips on to a parent or relative who might be at risk for a fall:

• When getting out of bed, sit on the edge of the bed for few minutes before standing.

• Keep the path to bathroom clear of clutter.

• Wear slippers with non-skid soles.

• Remove loose rugs.

• If you are using a walker or a cane, keep it beside the bed.

• Take time to turn on lights.

• Frail and elderly with multiple risk factors may benefit from a bedside commode.

• Vitamin D is important in decreasing the risk of injury with a fall.

5 Facts You Should Know About Incontinence

2010-08-31T15:05:00.001-04:00

Incontinence is the loss of bowel or bladder control.
Incontinence - urinary and bowel - is believed to affect more than 25 million Americans.
Incontinence affects people of all ages - young and old - both sexes, and people of all races.
Incontinence is not a disease; it is not part of being a woman; and it is not just what happens as you get older.
Incontinence is a symptom with many causes, so it is important to seek treatment to find out what is causing it and what can be done about it.

Urologists, Urogynecologists, and Gastroenterologists, oh my!

2010-08-24T10:31:00.003-04:00

There are a number of options for healthcare providers that you can see to address your bladder control problems, but how to decide who to see?

Start with your primary care provider (PCP) when seeking treatment of problems with bladder or bowel control. This may be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant. If a PCP does not have a special interest in diagnosing and treating incontinence or symptoms persist, you may ask to be referred to a urologist or urogynecologist. A urologist is a surgeon who specializes in the urinary conditions of men and women. A gynecologist is a doctor specializing in the reproductive health of women. Some have special interest and training in urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. If they have advanced training in this area, they may become urogynecologists and no longer deliver babies. A geriatrician is a doctor who specialized in treating older people. A gastroenterologist is a doctor to who specializes in problems of the intestinal system. If you have diarrhea, constipation, or fecal incontinence, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist. Some specialize in surgery and are known as colorectal surgeons. Nurse specialists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists may have training that qualifies them to offer electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy as a means of treatment.

No matter who you see, be sure that you are comfortable with your provider and that they have an interest in treating you. Never feel guilty about getting a second opinion from another provider. There are several ways to find the right specialist. Begin by asking your family doctor for a referral to an incontinence specialist. In addition, you can search NAFC’s Find An Expertdatabase for all of the various healthcare professionals near you. If we do not list a healthcare professional within driving distance of your home, you may want to look in your yellow pages where physicians are listed. Call your local hospital, and ask if the hospital has a continence clinic. Confide in a friend. Often friends will tell you where they had their treatment and if they were satisfied.

Which type of healthcare provider have you seen for your bladder control problems? Have you ever felt your concerns were ignored or not taken seriously by your provider?

Ten Warning Signs of Bladder Control Problems

2010-08-17T15:58:00.003-04:00

Leakage of urine which impacts your activities
Leakage of urine causing embarrassment
Leakage of urine after an operation, such as a hysterectomy, Caesarean section, or prostate surgery
An urgent need to rush to the bathroom and/or loss of urine if you do not arrive in time
Frequent bladder infections
Urinating more frequently than usual without a bladder infection
Pain related to filling the bladder and/or during urination in the absence of a bladder infection
Inability to urinate, also known as urinary retention
Progressive weakness of the urinary stream with or without a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Changes in urination related to a neurological condition such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis

Have you experienced any of these warning signs? If so, consider seeing a urologist or urogynecologist for treatment. Use NAFC's Find An Expert database to find a provider near you.

Incontinence and Childbirth

2010-08-10T09:41:00.003-04:00

Urinary incontinence affects 30-50% of childbearing women by age 40. Up to 63% of stress-incontinent women report their problem began during or after pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth are also risk factors for fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. The trauma of childbirth has lasting effects on a woman’s body—that’s why it’s important to do Kegel exercises now! Life after childbirth does not need to entail a routine of pads and liners, or a struggle with symptoms at home or work, at the gym, or in the bedroom.

Are you one of the 63% of stress-incontinent women who began experiencing bladder control problems during or after pregnancy? Are you experiencing those problems right now? Are you seeking/did you seek treatment for this issue? Share your story with us!

Vocabulary Lesson

2010-08-02T15:31:00.005-04:00

Since this blog is relatively new, this post will be an introduction to the vocabulary dealing with the bladder control problems and related pelvic floor dysfunction that we will discuss here. These are problems that women of all ages can face.

Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control.

Fecal incontinence is defined as loss of control over gas or stool, affects up to 25% of childbearing women, often resulting from injury during birth.

Stress incontinence is leakage that occurs when laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting heavy objects, or exerting other pressure on the bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) refers to frequent bladder spasms resulting in urinary frequency, sudden urges to go to the bathroom, and having to get up at night to go to the bathroom.

Urgency incontinence is the loss of urine due to the inability to reach the toilet after the sudden or frequent urge to urinate. It is most often caused by overactive bladder (OAB).

Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

Pelvic organ prolapse refers to weakening around the vagina, uterus, and pelvic floor. Common types include cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele (bulging rectum), and uterine prolapse (dropped uterus).

Nocturia is defined as being awakened at night one or more times in order to pass urine.

Pelvic floor muscles are a complex "hammock" that includes different types of muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs (the bladder, the vagina, the uterus and the rectum). The pelvic floor muscles help to support the sphincter muscle that keeps the bladder closed while it fills with urine. These are the muscles that you exercise with Kegel or Pelvic Muscle Exercises (PMEs).

Are there any other terms you need defined to help describe your problem?

The best beverage for your bladder

2010-07-21T11:41:00.007-04:00

People often seek relief from the summer heat in water—water at the beach or in the pool or just by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. Not only is water important for hydration, there are also several benefits for your bladder in drinking enough water. Drinking plenty of water dilutes your urine. By diluting your urine, you can prevent your urine from having an unpleasant odor, which can be a concern for those who wear absorbent products. Concentrated urine can also irritate the lining of the bladder, making urgency and frequency problems even worse, and it can encourage the growth of bacteria. Drink plenty of water to avoid these problems.

While you do get water from other beverages and foods you drink and eat, water is the best for your bladder. Some other beverages can be irritating to your bladder. If you’re having bladder problems, try to avoid those drinks that can bother your bladder: citrus juice & fruits, carbonated beverages, soft drinks with caffeine, coffee, alcoholic beverages including beer and wine. Artificial sweeteners are also known bladder irritants, so avoid drinks with artificial sweeteners. Grape juice, cranberry juice, cherry juice, and apple juice are thirst-quenchers that usually are not irritating to a normal bladder.

Remember to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and to help your bladder. A rule of thumb is 30 milliliters of water for every kilogram of body weight.

Do you drink enough water every day? What do you do to help you remember to drink water? For those of us who have trouble drinking a lot of water during the day, what are your tips for drinking enough water?

Getting the most out of Kegel exercises

2010-07-12T15:29:00.007-04:00

Whether you first heard about kegels, or pelvic muscle exercises (PMEs), when reading an issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine or when you were looking for help with a bladder control problem, you probably know that you should be doing kegel exercises faithfully. We at NAFC are huge proponents of PMEs and encourage those we come into contact with to do them and to do them correctly. Many times the women who call us say they do their kegels regularly but later in the conversation admit that they don't know if they do them right or not. To get the most out of doing PMEs, you should be sure you are doing them correctly.

One way to learn how to do your kegels correctly is to go see a physical therapist or nurse specialist for a biofeedback session. Biofeedback is a method for providing individuals with information about their body, in this case about the pelvic floor muscles. Sensors are placed near the pelvic floor. Either sensors are inserted into the vagina or surface electrodes are placed on the skin. These sensors are connected to a computer which changes the electrical activity of your muscles are changed into a signal that can be seen on the computer screen. Your muscles give feedback to the biofeedback therapist who can then coach you to properly use those pelvic floor muscles.

Another method of getting the most out of kegels is to try pelvic floor stimulation (PFS). PFS is the controlled delivery of small amounts of stimulation to the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor and bladder. The stimulation is generated through a tampon-like sensor that is placed in the vagina or rectum or by surface electrodes that are placed around the anus. The sensor, or electrode, is attached by a cable to a small battery operated device or a larger clinical device in a doctor or therapist’s office. Sometimes pelvic floor stimulation is called electrical stimulation or E-Stim. PFS will help build up your pelvic floor tone. You may want to consider PFS if you are unable to contract your pelvic floor muscles or are having difficulty doing your kegels.

If you want to get the most out of doing PMEs, talk to your doctor about these two options. Remember, it can take 6-8 weeks before you notice a difference in your pelvic muscle tone, so be patient!

Have you tried biofeedback or pelvic floor stimulation? If so, what was your experience? Did biofeedback or PFS help you with doing your kegels? If you haven't done them before, would you try either option?

Welcome to Powder Room Talk!

2010-07-07T13:34:00.006-04:00

Powder Room Talk is a blog just for women. We'll talk about the topics that aren't considered cocktail party conversation. Overactive bladder, leakage, pelvic organ prolapse: we'll cover it all. Did you just have a baby and are worried about bladder control? Are you leaking when you work out or laugh? Suddenly find yourself running to the bathroom every 30 minutes? Not sure what's going on down there? This is the place for you! Join in the conversation to share your thoughts, experiences, and advice with the other women reading this blog. Let's get talking!