Join us Thursday, August 7 at 6PM at the St. Louis Incontinence Institute inside the St. Louis Women’s Surgery Center for “Food as Medicine,” a complimentary fun and educational seminar hosted by Dr. Cathy Naughton, one of the Incontinence Institute’s board-certified urologists and longtime advocate of using food to heal our bodies.

During the seminar, you’ll learn how to use food instead of medicine to become healthy long-term as well as how to treat, reverse, and prevent illness/medical conditions including issues with incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

To RSVP, please call 636.779.0079. Refreshments will be served and there is no fee to register.

The St. Louis Incontinence Institute is located inside the St. Louis Women’s Surgery Center at 884 Woods Mill Road, Suite 100 in Ballwin, Mo. Visit their Locations page for additional directions.

If you’re struggling with incontinence, you know the impact the condition can have on other aspects of your life. Many women and men who deal with incontinence issues also report feeling symptoms of clinical depression – so many, in fact, that several studies have been conducted globally to assess the link between depression and incontinence and to evaluate the effect incontinence has on quality of life measures. All these studies have come to one conclusion: people who deal with incontinence are much more likely to experience symptoms of depression also. For instance:

·  A Canadian study found that as many as 30 percent of those who experienced symptoms of incontinence also reported symptoms of depression while only 9.2 percent of those who were not incontinent reported they were depressed.

·  A study from the U.S. found that women who had both conditions consistently reported more severe symptoms of incontinence as well as a more significant impact on their quality of life.

·  And a third study of nearly 2,000 Dutch women found quality of life and vitality were substantially lower for those with incontinence compared to those without the condition.

Researchers believe the increase in depression among those with incontinence is due to two primary factors: First, the condition itself can contribute to depression at least partly due to the embarrassment people feel due to urine leakage. And second, people who suffer from incontinence may be less likely to take part in activities they enjoy including socializing with friends, making them feel sad and more isolated.

The good news is that today there are more ways than ever to help both women and men treat and manage their urinary incontinence. If you suffer from incontinence, be aware of feelings of depression you may be experiencing and be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

We can help. Call The Incontinence Institute today at (800) 774-1953!

For years, yoga has been touted as a way to build strength and decrease stress, and now, a new study suggests a regular program of yoga might help reduce the symptoms of incontinence as well.

Conducted by researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), the study looked at the effects of a regular six-week yoga program on urinary incontinence among 10 women and compared the results to a second group of 10 women who experienced the same symptoms but did not participate in yoga. What they found was surprising: Women who participated in the yoga program had a 70 percent decrease in the frequency of their urine leakage, including those unexpected leaks that can occur when coughing or sneezing.

The researchers believe yoga works in two ways to help reduce the symptoms of incontinence first, by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles which help support the bladder and control bladder leakage, and second, by reducing stress and anxiety that can exacerbate the symptoms of incontinence in some people who suffer from it. The intense focus involved in yoga may also help people become more aware of their pelvic muscles, which may aid in learning to control those muscles and decrease the likelihood of leakage, they added. Combined with regular exams and evaluations by a doctor, these results suggest that yoga could play an important role in helping patients maintain good bladder and pelvic health.

Although the current study focused on women who comprise the lion’s share of incontinence patients, male patients may also benefit from yoga. And of course, as with any exercise program, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before beginning any type of yoga or other exercise program to make sure you’re healthy enough to participate.

Frequent urges, unexpectedly running to the restroom, getting up at night to go, not knowing when an urge will strike – incontinence can have a big impact on your life. Are you just surviving or are you thriving? Could you use tips for managing your bladder condition?

First, it is important to acknowledge that incontinence is 100% treatable. From medicine to physical therapy to surgery, there are many treatment options available. But if you have yet to seek help, or if your treatment methods are not working optimally, then it’s good to know how to manage your incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome.

Our Top Tips

The following are some of the top tips for managing your bladder condition:

Be ready for anything – If you suffer from overactive bladder syndrome, you know that urges can come at any time, even an inconvenient time. You may try to constantly orient yourself close to a restroom. But sometimes that just isn’t possible. Consider incontinence undergarments, which have become less bulky in recent years. Or keep a change of clothes in your car, just in case.

Stay hydrated – This may seem like the opposite of what you should do. But staying hydrated is important to your overall health. Drinking too little can make your urine concentrated, and irritate your bladder.

Avoid triggers – Though you should be drinking water, you should avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages. That means no coffee or soda. You should also avoid alcohol. These are diuretics, and can cause irritation. Stick to water.

Try a schedule – When possible, stick to a bathroom schedule. This means going to the bathroom every 2 hours to try and ward off urges or accidents. Although you physically cannot control the urges, this is a preventative measure that you can try.

Write it down – Keep a journal of what you drink, how much you drink (use a water bottle with ounce markers to help with this tip), and when you go or when you feel an urge. This is called a voiding diary, and it can be a great way to see what may be triggering an incident.

These measures can help your day-to-day life living with bladder incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome. But remember – there is help. These conditions are treatable and you do not have to let your bladder control your life.

If you or a loved one are suffering from bladder control problems, contact us. Or call our dedicated, discreet Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Stem cells are a hot topic right now. Stem cell injections are being used to treat all kinds of ailments, from back pain to lung disease. But what exactly are stem cells? And can they help with incontinence?

There are two main types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are cells found in your own body. They can be found in adipose (fat) tissue, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Adult stem cells from one organ are capable of forming tissue for another organ. Stem cells taken from adipose tissue or bone marrow can form many types of different cells. Adult stem cells can be transferred into any organ of the body.

Adult stem cells can be extracted from various parts of the body, and then laboratory techniques such as centrifuge separate out the stem cells from other cells. The stem cells can then be injected into the affected part of the body. This is usually done in an outpatient setting, with ultrasound as a guide.

Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from eggs fertilized via in vitro fertilization in a clinic. They are not taken from eggs fertilized in a female’s body. Embryonic stem cells are promising in the eyes of many researchers because they can become all cell types of the body, also known as pluripotent. Embryonic stem cells are also relatively easy for scientists to grow in a lab setting.

There have been many advancements in using stem cells for medical treatment. A recent study published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine found that human stem cells could become bladder cells, which can help repair defective or diseased bladders.

Researchers at University of California Davis Children’s Hospital observed two types of stem cells, plutipotent (embryonic) cells and umbilical blood cells. The pluripotent cells were obtained by the National Institute of Health’s repository, and researchers coaxed them into become bladder cells.

The study is promising for potentially regenerating replacement bladder tissue for patients in the future. This could be beneficial for situations such as children with spina bifida, or patients with bladder cancer.

Moving forward, researchers want to develop a method that does not use human or animal cells so that these cells can be used in patients. There is still a lot of research to be done about stem cells and their potential for healing and re-growing cells. According to the National Institute of Health, Stem cells offer exciting promise for future therapies, but significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research.

If you are experiencing bladder incontinence, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

The ability to sit through meetings at work, attend a spin class, walk the dog around the neighborhood, catch a movie with friends, or go out for dinner – these are small parts of life that many of us take for granted. For someone with overactive bladder syndrome, stress urinary incontinence or bowel incontinence, even these small parts of life may be out of reach. Worrying about leaks, anxiety over knowing the location of the closest restroom, or the potential for accidents are some reasons why people with incontinence miss out on everyday life.

Over time, people with incontinence can start to lose their quality of life. Many become homebound, paralyzed with fear about accidents and feeling like they are unable to go anywhere for fear of an embarrassing situation.

A study that came out last month in BMC Urology looked into just this: how quality of life is affected by incontinence. The study focused on people with incontinence and co-morbid depression. The link between depression and incontinence has already been established, and this study delved into the effect of incontinence on people who already have depression.

The study focused on depression and psychological factors that could help explain why people with bladder incontinence get depressed. The study hypothesized that the lower quality of life “may be a result of incontinence limiting what they are able to do in their everyday lives.”

One finding of the study was that younger people and unmarried people were more likely to experience depression when they had bladder incontinence. According to the study, “this is not unexpected, as incontinence is often considered a disease of older women who have had children.” A lack of explanation for the cause of their incontinence leads to lower mood and depression.

The study concluded that depression and incontinence both reduce quality of life. When people suffer from both depression and incontinence, it impacts their mental and physical health and can increase the persons negative perceptions of their illness. The study recommends that physicians should identify and manage depression when treating patients for incontinence.

Decreased quality of life is an unfortunate, difficult part of incontinence for many people. But there is help. Incontinence is 100 percent treatable. If you are experiencing bladder or bowel symptoms, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Incontinence is a difficult medical condition. Unlike other ailments, sufferers usually do not feel comfortable discussing their incontinence. They often go to great lengths to hide it and worry constantly about embarrassing leaks or being stuck somewhere without a restroom. This leads to sufferers avoiding social events and trips, and eventually becoming reclusive.

Unfortunately, the emotional toll of incontinence is huge. What’s worse is that it is not being talked about. The care team at the Incontinence Institute is here to raise awareness, and let people know that they are not alone. Overactive bladder, bladder incontinence, and bowel incontinence can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression. Overall, incontinence in all forms can lead to a lower quality of life and little-discussed emotional side effects.

The Connection between Depression and Incontinence

The link between incontinence and depressive symptoms has been proven. Incontinence can also contribute to anxiety. Other possible connected symptoms and feelings include stress and loneliness. Overall, this is not great news for people with incontinence.

Proof in the Studies

According to the World Journal of Urology, urologic literature suggests that there is an association between a variety of psychiatric disorders and incontinence. Most notably, depression is found in a significant percentage of patients with urinary incontinence. Depression also occurs in other conditions associated with urinary urge incontinence, such as aging and dementia, and in neurologic disorders.

Another study in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with mild to severe urinary incontinence were more likely to have depression. This study recommended that women being treated for incontinence should also be screened for depression, and offered treatment for depression as well.

People with urinary incontinence, as well as bowel incontinence, are at risk for depression from their condition and this is not a new phenomenon. A study published in GUT (International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) in 1986 cautioned that suggesting depression is common in gastrointestinal outpatients is not always appreciated and its symptoms should be sought in all patients with bowel dysfunction and chronic abdominal pain.

Physicians in the above studies are encouraging their peers in the medical community to ask about depression in patients with incontinence. Unfortunately, too many people are afraid to ask for help, or embarrassed to talk about their incontinence, even with their physician.

Talk It Out & Find Support

There are online support groups and message boards that you can join. You may not want to tell your friends or broadcast it on social media but consider telling those closest to you. It would help them to understand the emotional pain you are experiencing. At the very least, tell your doctor.

Remember, incontinence is treatable. There is no shame in asking for help. It is important to see a physician to rule out things like bladder cancer. Incontinence is also linked to other conditions like diabetes and may occur in men who have been treated for prostate cancer.

If you are experiencing leaks, urges, or other bladder or bowel symptoms, contact us or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

You’ve heard it your whole life: we need 8 glasses of water per day! But is that really true? Who came up with that?

The Origins of 8 Glasses a Day

Also known as the 8×8 rule for eight 8-ounce glasses per day, this recommendation came into being in the 1940s. Research from Dartmouth University has delved into the 8×8 rule to examine the origins and see if it’s truly the right recommendation.

In 1945, the Food and Nutrition Board suggested that a person consume one milliliter of water for every calorie of food. Based upon a daily intake of 1,900 calories, that’s 1,900 milliliters of water, or approximately 64 ounces. However, this does not include one critical part: that much of the daily need for water comes from the water content in food.

This means that although they recommended 64 ounces of water per day, the Food and Nutrition Board assumed much of that would come from water content in things like fruits and vegetables. It’s important to note that an apple is 84% water, a potato is 79% water, a strawberry is 92% water, a cucumber is 96% water, and so on. This aspect of the 8×8 rule was lost in translation somehow, and people began thinking they needed to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

Is There Scientific Proof for 8 Glasses a Day?

Dr. Heinz Valtin, Dartmouth Medical School physician and leader in researching the 8×8 claim, found that surveys of fluid intake on healthy adults of both genders, published as peer-reviewed documents, strongly suggest that such large amounts of water are not needed. The human body is not working on a chronic water deficit, and it will self-regulate.

Dr. Valtin has found “highly suggestive evidence” that we do not need to drink 64 ounces of water per day. Other drinks such as tea can count towards a daily total of fluid intake, and the body probably does not need that many ounces of water each day to work optimally.

However, there are exceptions: Dr. Valtin worked from the assumption of a mostly sedentary, otherwise healthy adult in a moderate climate. If you are exercising, working outdoors in a hot or humid climate, if you have kidney stones or other medical conditions, if you are on a long flight – these are all times when you would want to increase water intake.

What Does This Mean for Incontinence?

If you have overactive bladder syndrome, bladder incontinence, or mixed incontinence, listen up. You may think this means you should drastically cut down the amount of water you drink. But that isn’t really what it’s saying. Although we are debunking the myth that every person needs 64 ounces of water per day, the amount of water you need per day may depend on many factors. Water is certainly necessary to stay healthy and hydrated.

If you have bladder issues, you may be tempted to drink as little as possible. Unfortunately, that can backfire on you. You could get dehydrated, which hurts your overall health. Then, your urine will become more concentrated which can irritate the bladder even more. It is in your best interest to stay hydrated, but the exact amount depends on your activity level, weight, intake of other liquids, diet, and more.

A popular thought now, especially among the fitness community, is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. This may work for people trying to lose weight, but it could be too much for you. The best thing to do is experiment, see how you feel, and talk to your physician. If you are having bladder symptoms like frequency, urgency, or leaks, you may want to try keeping a voiding diary.

If you are suffering from incontinence, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Bladder Cancer

Incontinence can be annoying and it can negatively impact your life, but can it be a sign of something worse?

Unfortunately, yes.

The Incontinence Institute always encourages people with bladder or bowel incontinence symptoms (frequency, urgency, leaks during physical activity, getting up at night to use the restroom, and so on) to see a physician. This is for a few reasons:

1. See a physician because conditions like overactive bladder syndrome are easily treatable. In fact, treatment options for bladder incontinence range from physical therapy and medication to minimally invasive surgery.

2. See a physician to rule out any other serious health issues. Incontinence can be linked to uncontrolled diabetes, multiple sclerosis, other neurological conditions, and even bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the bladder, and it is the sixth most common type of cancer. In 2013, there were 72,570 new cases of bladder cancer.

Facts About Bladder Cancer

• There are three types of bladder cancer.
• Risks for bladder cancer include:
  • smoking and tobacco use
  • family history
  • exposure to certain chemicals
  • using catheters for a long time
  • history of bladder infections.
• Symptoms of bladder cancer include:
  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain during urination
  • Lower back pain
• As with all cancers, the prognosis depends on how early it is caught, what stage the cancer is in, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Frequent urination is one of the most common symptoms of bladder incontinence. It could be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, injury from childbirth, as a symptom of multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes or neurologic conditions, as a complication following surgery, enlarged prostate, or other benign causes.

If you are suffering from frequent urination, it is important to see a physician. Only they can rule out bladder cancer. A physician can also help you start treatment because bladder issues are extremely treatable.

Many people are very embarrassed about having bladder incontinence, and this is understandable. It has been reported that some people with incontinence wait up to seven years to seek treatment. They are ashamed of losing control of their body, and they don’t even want to tell their physician. We want patients to remember that they cannot control what their body is doing and it isn’t their fault.

If you are suffering from incontinence, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

A study in European Urology set out with the goal to identify and rank some of the common lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using a population-based sample of adults. The objective of the survey and the research? To delve into the researchers interests in what is actually the most bothersome LUTS symptom.

The study included 3727 people, both males and females. A scale, the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score, was used for assessment of 12 different urinary symptoms.

The Findings

Incontinence symptoms, and the burden from the symptoms, were higher in women than men. Women have a higher incidence of incontinence because

The research found that the most bothersome symptom overall from both men and women was urgency. Stress urinary incontinence came in second, nocturia came in third, and postmicturition drip came in fourth.

An Explanation of The Most Common—but Most Annoying—Symptoms

Urgency – Urgency is a hallmark of overactive bladder syndrome. Urgency can be felt by both men and women. It is a feeling that can strike without warning, and may also feel like there’s no time to get to a restroom.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) – When the pelvic muscles are damaged, they are weakened. These weakened muscles cannot hold in urine when stress is put on them. In the case of SUI, stress means anything from physical activity like jumping or jogging, to everyday things like coughing, sneezing, or laughing. The pelvic muscles may be damaged due to childbirth, injury, or prior surgeries.

Nocturia – This is waking up frequently during the night to use the bathroom. If you get up more than once to use the restroom during the course of a night’s sleep. People who do not have nocturia should be able to sleep 6-8 hours without getting up. Patients with nocturia could get out of bed up to six times to go to the bathroom. Some possible causes for nocturia are bladder prolapse, neurologic conditions, diabetes, or enlarged prostate.

Post-void drip – As men age, the prostate gland can become enlarged this is very common, and it is called benign prostate hypoplasia. Though the cause is not fully understood, it is a normal part of aging for most men. Prostate enlargement causes the gland to press against the urethra, contracting the bladder so it holds less urine causing more frequent urination. Post-void drip is a major part of this because some urine will remain in the bladder even after it empties.

Why is Urgency the Worst Symptom?

Participants rated urgency as the most troubling symptom. This is probably because urges can come at any time, without warning.

The unpredictability of urgency can cause anxiety. People suffering from urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, or overactive bladder syndrome (urgency is a symptom of these three conditions) may become withdrawn. It becomes easier to stay home and avoid social outings or activities, than to risk an urgency incident or an accident.

But there is good news: all of these conditions are treatable. If you are suffering from urgency, frequent urination, or other bladder symptoms, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.