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TACKLING BLADDER AND BOWEL PROBLEMS
By Ian Holland, Information Officer, the Continence Foundation
Continence problems are not an inevitable part of ageing - so no one should assume that 'nothing can be done'. Specialist help is available and many treatments can manage, improve - and even cure - these conditions, regardless of age or sex.
This is the message of 'Bladder or Bowel Problems?', a free leaflet recently launched to the public by UK charity, the Continence Foundation. The leaflet outlines the treatments available for bladder and bowel problems, most of which involve simple measures in the first instance - rather than drugs or surgery. However, there have been great advances in medicines and less invasive surgical procedures, if initial treatments are not successful.
The main types of bladder and bowel weakness
Stress Incontinence is the most common type of bladder problem. It has nothing to do with stress in the sense of anxiety. Instead, it describes the condition of leaking when you put pressure (stress) on your pelvic floor muscles - by laughing, coughing, lifting or sneezing. Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles, or a leaky valve at the bottom of your bladder, are unable to counter this stress - and leakage results. It affects women mostly, but men can develop stress incontinence too, particularly after a prostate operation.
Overactive Bladder Syndrome is an umbrella term used to describe 'urgency' (a sudden, very urgent, need to pass urine), 'frequency' (a need to pass urine more often than usual), 'urge incontinence' (if either of the above result in incontinence) and 'nocturia' (waking up twice or more at night to pass urine). The usual cause of this syndrome is an 'overactive' bladder muscle, which contracts before the bladder is full. It affects men and women.
It is possible to have symptoms of both stress incontinence and an overactive bladder to varying degrees; a condition called Mixed
Incontinence.
Faecal (Bowel) Incontinence in older people often arises from complications associated with constipation. Other causes include severe diarrhoea, bought on by infection or disease - and weak anal muscles.
How can I get professional help?
Contact the Continence Foundation. As well as providing a free copy of its 'Bladder or Bowel Problems?' leaflet, the charity's specialist nurse can offer expert advice about continence problems:
E-mail: continence-help@dial.pipex.com
Or call 0845 345 0165 (9.30am-1.00pm Monday to Friday).
There are also NHS Continence Clinics throughout the UK. Generally, it is possible to book an appointment personally, without needing a doctor's referral. To find the contact details of your nearest Clinic visit www.continence-foundation.org.uk/clinics and enter the first part of your postcode.
 What will happen?
The Continence Advisor will assess your problem and start appropriate treatment.
Treatments
Stress Incontinence: The initial treatment is usually to teach you
exercises, to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. You do not have to be physically fit or active to perform these. If exercises alone fail, you may be prescribed a medicine that is thought to work by toning the muscle around the tube leading from your bladder. Surgery is another alternative. One procedure involves inserting a bulking agent into the neck of your bladder to narrow the bladder outlet. Another entails placing a 'sling' under the tube leading from your bladder to provide support.
Overactive Bladder Syndrome: Unless your condition is severe, lifestyle changes are usually the first treatment suggested. Cutting down on drinks containing alcohol or caffeine (for example coffee, strong tea, chocolate and colas) often helps - as they can irritate your bladder. Bladder Retraining is the next step. This involves learning behavioural techniques to 'hold on' and ignore the urge to pass urine. A number of medicines can also be prescribed to stop the need to go so often, or urgently.
Faecal Incontinence: First steps may include modifying your diet, increasing your fluid intake or undertaking gentle exercise, such as walking. If weak muscles around the anus (back passage) are the cause of the problem, you may start exercises to strengthen them. A range of medicines may be prescribed. Depending on the underlying problem, medicines may solidify or soften the stool, or speed or slow its passage through your bowel. Damaged or weakened anal muscles may be operated on.
 For detailed information about continence problems and their treatments, visit the Continence Foundation's website: www.continence-foundation.org.uk
Joan's Story
Joan, 62, is a retired primary school teacher. After giving birth to her second son in 1969 following a gruelling 36-hour labour, Joan noticed she had a slight leak whenever she played sports. She also had to be careful when coughing or sneezing. She did not know what to do and managed by wearing dark clothes, always having a change of underwear in my bag and
using feminine hygiene products every day.
Joan's condition worsened in her late fifties, so she decided to take action. She visited her local Continence Advisor and, after an assessment, started on a programme of pelvic floor exercises. At first, they did not seem to be working, "but the nurse told me to be persistent and I can be
very stubborn!" After a couple of months things started to improve and now Joan is dry - although she sometimes wears a pad when playing badminton "just in case". "I didn¹t realise anything could be done for my problem, but I'm living proof that there is!" she says. "I would say to anyone who has a continence problem that it's really worth getting some professional help." |
DON'T LET YOUR BLADDER CONTROL YOUR DAY! 'UROLOGIC' WORKS NATURALLY, TO PROMOTE STRONG BLADDER CONTROL AND URINARY FUNCTION
As we get older the bladder, sphincter, bladder wall and pelvic muscles may not have the control they used to. This can lead to worrisome days and nights. Fortunately, there are many natural and effective ways to address bladder health as we age. That's where 'Urologic' can help.
Scientifically designed to improve bladder strength and function, regardless of age, 'Urologic' allows you to maintain good bladder health and enjoy the activities you love, for years to come.
Available from The Nutri Centre - the UK's leading supplier of nutritional products - 'Urologic' can help you to:
• continue to drink as much as you like
• enjoy a good night's sleep
• achieve healthy urination
• maintain excellent bladder control for a lifetime
• see results quickly
At the heart of 'Urologic' is Optera - a special high-potency extract of the herb, Cratera Nurvala (more commonly known as the 'three leaf caper'. Cratera has been used for centuries to support healthy bladder and urinary health. 'Urologic' also includes a mineral blend of magnesium, calcium and silica - to help promote proper nerve function between the brain and bladder.
Great for your entire body
'Urologic' is not just great for your bladder. It's great for your entire body - delivering as it does, an army of immune-boosting antioxidants - to neutralise free radicals in your body that attack healthy cells and accelerate the effects of ageing.
'Urologic' is not intended to be an overnight solution - but research has found that 50% of the people who took 'Urologic' noticed benefits in as little as three weeks. Whether you see such quick results or not, you will achieve optimum results within two to three months. And once you've achieved successful results with 'Urologic' you can cut daily dosage by half. That's worth repeating: the longer you take 'Urologic' the less you need daily to maintain full bladder and urinary system support.
Special Care Directions' Purchase Discount
'Urologic' is available from The Nutri Centre - the UK's leading supplier of nutritional products. Normally retailing at £49.95 for 90 capsules, the special Care Directions order price is just £47.46.
To obtain this specially discounted price, you will need to use the dedicated order form, by clicking the link below:
www.nutricentre.com/Start/caredirectionsurologic.aspx
If ordering by telephone, be sure to quote 'Care Directions' Promotion' to obtain the discounted price:
0800 5872290 |
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