Bladder Health Matters A presentation by the National Association For Continence in honor of the Bladder Health Awareness Campaign Led by Nancy Muller, PhD, executive director of the National Association For Continence
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Bladder Health MattersA presentation by the National Association For Continence in
honor of the Bladder Health Awareness Campaign
Led by Nancy Muller, PhD, executive director of the National Association For Continence
What Is The Bladder?
The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ made of a thin layer of muscle behind the pubic bone.
The function of the bladder is to store urine.
The bladder stretches as it fills. It can normally hold between seven to 20 ounces of urine (200-600 ml) before the urge to urinate becomes uncomfortable.
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
Why Is Bladder Health Important?
Loss of bladder control is a common condition that affects many Americans.
An estimated 25 million adult Americans and 200 million people worldwide suffer from bladder control loss
The effect of urinary incontinence on a person’s quality of life can vary considerably.
In the U.S., the total direct and indirect costs of urinary incontinence including overactive bladder range up to $32 billion. www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
In the bladder: failure to store or failure to
empty the urine
In the sphincter: failure to open, to close, or
stay closed
In the spinal cord:absent or incorrect signals
In the brain:no message or the wrong
message
Where Do Urinary Problems Begin?
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Risk Factors Associated With Bladder Control Issues
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• Limited mobility
• Multiple pregnancies and vaginal deliveries
• Neurological disease or injury
• Menopause
• Constipation
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cigarette smoking/chronic coughing
• Diet
• Surgical treatment for prostate cancer
• BPH
• Advanced dementia and cognitive impairment
Types of Bladder Health Issues
Stress Incontinence Occurs during increased physical effort or
activity. This condition allows urine to leak when
you do anything that strains or stresses the abdomen. Example) coughing, sneezing, lifting,
laughing, exercise
Urgency or Overactive Bladder (OAB) Sudden urgency occurs when the bladder
contracts without you wanting it, without warning.
You may feel as if you can’t wait to reach a toilet and you may leak urine on the way (urgency incontinence).
Frequency (> 8 times in 24 hour period) is also a symptom of OAB.
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
Types of Bladder Health Issues Continued…
Mixed IncontinenceCombination of urgency and stress incontinence
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Techniques That Promote Bladder Control
Pelvic Muscle Exercises (Kegels)Through regular exercise you
can build strength and endurance to help improve, regain, or maintain bladder control.
Dietary ChangesEliminating or moderating
caffeine, alcohol, & artificial sweeteners can reduce known bladder irritants.
Weight LossLoss of 10% of body weight can
decrease incontinence episodes as much as 50%.
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
When Should I Seek Treatment For My Bladder Health?
Routine leakage of urine
Frequent, urgent need to rush to the toilet
Frequent bladder infections
Pain related to filling the bladder
Inability to urinate/urinary retention
Weakness of the urinary stream with or without a feeling of complete bladder emptying
Changes in urination related to a neurological condition
When your quality of life is impacted in meaningful ways
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
Who Should I Talk To About My Bladder Health?
Urologists - surgeon who specializes in the lower urinary tract of men and women. Many urologists have advanced training in the surgical correction and medical treatments for incontinence. Some specialize in female urology.
Urogynecologists- OBGYNs who become surgical specialists with additional training and experience in the evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, pelvic organ support, and other female bladder health issues.
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Who Should I Talk To About My Bladder Health? Continued…
Gynecologists - a doctor specializing in the reproductive health of women and general pelvic health over a woman’s lifetime.
Geriatricians - an internist who specializes in medically treating older people and who may have advanced training in the diagnosis, treatment intervention, and management of incontinence.
Nurse specialists, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, and behavioral scientists – may have training that qualifies them to offer nonsurgical treatments for incontinence.
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms of Incontinence?
Get educated! Become your own health advocate by arming yourself with information relevant to your symptoms and concerns
Get organized and prepared for your appointment with a health provider. Write down your symptoms as they occur.
Keep a bladder diary for 2 days, recording consumption of beverages, activities, and accidents as they occur.
Find an expert. Get NAFC’s help in looking.
www.bladderhealthawareness.org | www.nafc.org
Want Additional Information?
For free additional information contact NAFC
www.nafc.org
www.bladderhealthawareness.org
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