It’s something most women don’t like to talk about- incontinence.
The condition is more common than you might think, according to Dr. Angela DeRosa, and it’s not something you have to live with.
Many associate female incontinence with new moms or older women, but they’re not the only ones who have to cope with the often embarrassing issue.
“It can happen at any age,” DeRosa said.
There are two main categories: stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
In the cases of urge incontinence, when you have to rush to the restroom, the bladder wall is spasming uncontrollably. “That is a neurological problem, that’s most often treated with medications,” DeRosa explained.
Stress incontinence, in which you urinate a bit when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise, is the most common type of incontinence in women. It happens when the muscle supporting the bladder weakens causing it to drop.
While there are surgical options and medications, there are also some other things you can try.
A therapeutic pessary, for example, can be inserted into the vagina to lift the bladder back into its proper position.
DeRosa said she also recommends using a kegel ball, which is meant to exercise the pelvic muscles.
“It causes the vagina to contract,” DeRosa explained. “It lifts the bladder back up because you’re building the muscle that sits underneath it.”
The kegel balls, also known as Ben Wa balls, come in three different sizes, 28 grams, 38 grams, and 48 grams.
The most important part of treating female incontinence is having a conversation with your doctor.
“The key is to come talk to us and we can help you decide what type of incontinence you have and then how to best fix it,” DeRosa said.
Proper Tests Diagnose Hypothyroidism 1/11/2014
Question: I’m 43, feel tired and achy, plus I’m gaining weight. It’s hard to stay positive when my doctor says it’s just stress and aging.
Answer: Aging and stress can play a role, but not exactly in the way your doctor might think. Symptoms of extreme fatigue, weight gain, sore muscles, aching joints, hair loss, and cold intolerance scream hypothyroidism. Slow heart rate, cold hands and feet, and a swollen neck are all clinical indicators of hypothyroidism.
By age 50, about one-third of women and one-fifth of men will have hypothyroidism/low functioning thyroid. Too many medical professionals have lost the skill of using the patient’s history, physical exam and appropriate blood screening necessary to make a correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism, and they rely solely on the standard TSH blood screen test. Thyroid 3 (T3), Thyroid 4 (T4), and reverse T3 levels combined with physical symptoms and health history are true indicators of thyroid function. Many people with normal TSH levels have hypothyroidism, so missing the diagnosis leaves patients feeling awful and at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory conditions, and cancers, including breast and colon cancer.
The hormone testosterone drives the thyroid and metabolism. Deficiencies tend to manifest in thyroid symptoms that in turn inhabit proper thyroid function. Share this information with your doctor. If he or she does not properly test your thyroid, find a new doctor.