A Woman's Guide to Regaining Bladder Control Everything You Need to Know for the Diagnosis and Cure of Incontinence

by Rovner, Eric S.; Wein, Alan J.; Caruso, Donna

• ISBN13: 9780871319470
• ISBN10: 0871319470
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-23
• Publisher: M. Evans & Company

Summary

This comprehensive and practical guide will give millions of women the help they need by providing them with information on: The different types of incontinence and how each is diagnosed and treated, surgical vs. non-surgical treatment, effective self-help techniques and how to find the right doctor.

Author Biography

Eric S. Rovner, M.D. is co-director of the Center for Incontinence and Pelvic Disorders Alan J. Wein, M.D. is Professor and Chair of the Division of Urology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Dr. Wein was chosen by American Health magazine as one of the best doctors in the U.S. Donna Caruso specializes in writing on medical issues

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
Fact You Should Know About Incontinence
How This Book Can Help You
PART ONE: WHAT IS INCONTINENCE?
What You Should Know About Incontinence	9	(6)
The Basic Facts
How A Woman's Urinary System Works	15	(4)
The Parts of the Urinary System
Steps in the Urinary Process
Holding It In
The Many Causes Of Incontinence	19	(14)
You Need Help No Matter What the Cause
Physical Conditions That Can Cause Incontinence
Pelvic Surgery
Medications
Dietary Factors
Other Possible Causes of Urinary Incontinence
It May Not Be Urine
The Five Types of Incontinence	33	(10)
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Urge Incontinence
Reflex Incontinence
Mixed Incontinence
Overflow Incontinence
Total Incontinence
Other Types of Incontinence
How to Determine If You Are Incontinent	43	(8)
Scoring the Questionnaire
Incontinence Questionnaire
Risk Factors, Symptoms
PART TWO: FINDING HELP
Overcoming The Emotional Obstacles to Seeking Help	51	(10)
The Emotional Issues of Incontinence
The Myths and the Facts About Incontinence o Taking Control
Taking Action
Finding The Right Doctor	61	(10)
Treatment with Your Primary Care Doctor
Consulting a Specialist
The Ideal Doctor
Organizations to Contact
Other Referral Sources
Questions to Ask Prospective Doctors
Questions to Ask Before Your First Visit to the Doctor's Office
Preparing For Your First Medical Visit	71	(12)
Be Patient If You Have a Complicated, Severe, or Long- Standing Condition Medical Questionnaire
Information to Bring Along o A Sample Questionnaire
Your Voiding Diary
The Medical History Form
Your First Meeting with the Doctor
How Incontinence Is Diagnosed	83	(10)
Diagnostic Tests
The Physical Exam
Pad Tests
Urine Tests
Urodynamic Tests
Cystoscopy
Making a Diagnosis
PART THREE: TREATING INCONTINENCE
General Treatments for Incontinence	93	(4)
The Non-Treatment Option
Guidelines for Treatment Selection
Your Attitude Toward Treatment
Behavioral Techniques	97	(20)
How Behavioral Techniques Can Help You
Lifestyle Changes
Psychotherapy
Behavioral Modification
Private Practice Vibration Reminder Disk
Bladder Retraining
Pelvic Floor Exercises, or Kegels
Biofeedback
Vaginal Weights or Cones
Electrical Stimulation
The Neocontrol Device
Acupuncture	117	(2)
Medication	119	(6)
Estrogen Replacement
Types of Medication for Incontinence
Using Medication
Which Medications for Which Problem?
How Long Do The Drugs Take to Work?
Choosing Surgery	125	(20)
Factors Involved in Your Decision
Surgical Pros and Cons
Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence
Surgery for Urge Incontinence
Choosing a Surgeon
Second Opinions
Preparing for Surgery
Possible Risk Factors
The Results of Surgery
Helpful Products And Devices	145	(16)
Finding the Products You Need
How to Select the Right Products
Absorbent Products
Skin Care Products
Incontinence Devices
Catheters And Self-Catheterization
PART FOUR: GETTING BETTER
Coping with The Emotional Issues	161	(10)
Keep Your Urinary System in Proper Working Order
Combining Self-Help and Medical Care
Dealing with Emotional Issues
Taking Positive Steps To Cope with Your Condition
Getting Help from Therapists and Support Groups
Finding A Support Group
Waiting for Treatment Results
Future Treatments	171	(10)
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Organizations	173	(6)
Appendix B: Books	179	(2)
About the Authors	181	(2)
Index	183