You can take steps to lower the chances that you will develop this distressing problem.

July 19, 2014 July 19, 2014 5 ways to dodge incontinence Most people take bladder control for granted — until the unintended loss of urine interrupts the ability to carry on an ordinary social and work life. Often the causes of incontinence are out of a person’s control. For example, in women, incontinence is a common side effect of childbirth. For men, it’s most often a side effect of treatment for prostate problems. Get your copy of Better Bladder and Bowel Control Most people take bladder and bowel control for granted — until something goes wrong. An estimated 32 million Americans have incontinence, the unintended loss of urine or feces that is significant enough to make it difficult for them to maintain good hygiene and carry on ordinary social and work lives. The good news is that treatments are becoming more effective and less invasive. This Special Health Report, Better Bladder and Bowel Control, describes the causes of urinary and bowel incontinence and treatments tailored to the specific cause. Although it may not be possible to avoid incontinence, you can take steps to lower the chances that you will develop this distressing problem. Watch your weight. Excess weight and incontinence can go hand in hand, particularly for women. One theory is that extra abdominal fat can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and lead to stress incontinence (leaking when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc.). In some cases, simply losing weight can improve incontinence. Don’t smoke. Smoking threatens your health in many ways. It also doubles the likelihood that a woman will develop stress incontinence. Nicotine has also been linked to urge incontinence. Stay active. In the Nurses’ Health Study, middle-aged women who were the most physically active were the least likely to develop incontinence. Minimize bladder irritants. Caffeine and alcohol have been linked to urge incontinence (the feeling you need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full). Carbonated drinks, the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet), spicy foods, and citrus fruits and juices cause urge incontinence in some people. Don’t strain with bowel movements. This can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. If your stools are frequently hard or take considerable effort to pass, talk with your doctor. In a study involving people ages 65 and older, treating constipation improved a variety of urinary symptoms, including frequency, urgency, and burning. Increasing the fiber in your diet and drinking enough fluid can help prevent constipation. Treatments for urinary incontinence are more effective and less invasive than ever. If you have problems with the unintentional loss of urine, don’t suffer in silence. Talk with your doctor.  For more on treating bladder and bowel incontinence buy, Better Bladder and Bowel Control, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Share this story: Featured in this issue Better Bladder and Bowel Control Featured content: • Urinary incontinence • SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: Urodynamic testing • Treating urinary incontinence • Managing urinary incontinence • Fecal incontinence •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457. You are currently subscribed to HEALTHbeat as sugengaria@gmail.com. EDIT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PROFILE UNSUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TO HEALTHbeat VIEW HEALTHbeat ARCHIVES Visit our website at: www.health.harvard.edu Email us at: healthbeat@health.harvard.edu FOLLOW US ON:  Facebook Twitter Copyright © 2014 by Harvard University. Harvard Health Publications, 10 Shattuck Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA * Please note, we do not provide responses to personal medical concerns, nor can we supply related medical information other than what is available in our print products or website. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.