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Staying Active, Controlling Incontinence
A Primer for Men and Women By Lisa Marie Metzler
Your grandchild has been pleading for you to attend his little league game that could last more than two hours. Plus, there is the long drive to the game. Instead of grabbing your camera and a thermos of iced tea, you're worried about rest stops and the availability of bathrooms at the baseball field.
Incontinence can make you feel like a prisoner in your own home. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are many products designed today to enable people to participate in normal activities and reduce the potential for embarrassing accidents.
The causes for incontinence are different for men than they are for women. A popular misconception is that incontinence results only from the aging process. This simply isn't true.
"Incontinence is very common in women and occurs as a result of aging and relaxation of the pelvic muscles. Pregnancies with large weight gain, difficult deliveries and obesity will hasten its onset and increase its severity," says Dr. Steven K. Wilson, clinical professor of urology at the University of Arkansas.
"In men, it is typically a result of pelvic surgery, particularly cancer surgery," says Dr. Wilson. "Bladder, prostate and colon surgery can all be complicated by the development of male incontinence." According to Dr. Wilson, male incontinence can be cured by minimally invasive urinary sphincter implantation.
It's important to note that incontinence is usually a symptom of an underlying disorder and a sign that something is wrong. The worst thing you can do is ignore it and not consult a physician.
Whatever the cause may be, incontinence is often difficult to talk about. Unfortunately, many people suffer in silence or restrict their previously active lifestyles to avoid embarrassing situations. However, this isolation and inactivity can lead to depression and increased isolation.
Dr. Wilson urges people who are suffering from incontinence to see a urologist. "Most of the time, the urologist can diagnose the problem in his office with some simple tests and fix both sexes with a day surgical procedure," says Dr. Wilson.
