The Incontinence Institute wants people to know that November is National Bladder Health Awareness Month. The week of November 11-15 is National Bladder Health Week. It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans, so 1 in 6, suffer from urinary incontinence or overactive bladder. Bladder problems are more common in America than diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease combined. However, this can be a sensitive and potentially embarrassing subject so many people do not want to discuss it. Many people with incontinence suffer in silence, sometimes for years, without knowing that it is easily treatable and there are options available to them.

Stress urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising, is common among women. This is also called overactive bladder (OAB), and can also be caused by bladder spasms. Urinary incontinence also occurs in men, and can be related to prostate health. Another type of incontinence is urge incontinence, characterized by a strong urge to urinate, often without enough time to reach a bathroom. Mixed incontinence refers to a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence. The different types of incontinence can all affect a person’s everyday life.

It is important to raise awareness of these conditions because people often wait so long to get treatment, to the point where their bladder issues rule over everything they do. If incontinence interferes with your life, social plans, traveling or work then it is time to seek treatment with a physician.

Treatments for urinary incontinence include conservative treatments, as well as minimally invasive surgery. The first step is consulting a physician. Contact us to learn more or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.