The Content Composer Org

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine which has become a significant problem among women. Approximately 11 million women are affected by incontinence. According to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, one in four ages 30-59 experience incontinence episodes. Many individuals feel this a natural part of aging when in fact – it is not. Often sufferers can be helped but never discuss the situation with their Doctors because of embarrassment.

There are various types of incontinence. The most common being stress and urge incontinence.

Stress incontinence occurs when there is intra-abdominal pressure such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or lifting. The pelvic floor muscles (which prevent bladder leakage) are not strong enough to hold back the urine with the added pressure resulting in urine leaking from the bladder. Most times the accidents are small in nature but can become worse over time.

Urge incontinence is the sudden strong urge to urinate with inability to make it to the bathroom in time. This can result in moderate to large accidents. Again the pelvic floor muscles are unable to hold back the flow of urine usually due to weakness.

Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

Incontinence can occur for a variety of reasons. Some common ones are pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes with menopause, obesity, chronic constipation, chronic coughing, and bearing down while lifting. If you’ve been living with incontinence for months or years, know that it can be improved or completely eliminated with treatment.

Exercise and examination of diet has been clinically proven to reduce if not eliminate urinary incontinence. Many of the foods and drinks we consume are bladder irritants. Knowing what foods to eliminate and how to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles are essential to eliminating urinary incontinence.

It is important to understand how diet can affect the bladder and knowing how certain foods and drinks affect your bladder can significantly lessen ones incontinent episodes. Many people with incontinence decide to restrict their water intake out of fear that they may have an accident. While a decrease in fluid intake does lessen the amount of urine in the bladder, it also makes the urine more concentrated which is irritating to the bladder. Dark yellow urine encourages bacteria growth, which may lead to infections making bathroom visits more frequent. Never restrict yourself from water – you need it for a healthy bladder.

There is help for individuals who do not want surgery or to take medication. As an Occupational Therapist for fourteen years, I have seen remarkable results treating incontinence. No need to be embarrassed – take action and take back control of your life.

More information on self-help treatment for incontinence is available at http://www.takebackcontrolprogram.com.

Sandra Bauer, OTR is a practicing Occupational Therapist with over fourteen years of experience. She is passionate about educating and helping women who are suffering needlessly from incontinence. She is the founder of http://www.takebackcontrolprogram.com

Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my mom used to say to me: “All ladies walk with their forehead up, bust out and butt out”. She used to say if you walk this way you are going to get a lot more attention and your posture will be good, avoiding you later back pain. There were days where I really tried to this and I just could not. But just watching her, when she got all dressed up and put her pretty heels on. I would think to myself how beautiful she looked and how elegant she walked.

So it has been the struggle of my life to walk like my mother. Every time I become conscious of me slouching or walking with my head down I quickly remember my mother and straighten my self out.

When I am out shopping I really do pay attention to this, and the way other women walk the walk. It cracks my self up. There are so many pretty girls that really don’t pay attention to the way they walk that guys hardly notice them. On the contrary I have seen some very not pretty girls who walk like they are modeling and every single guy that walks by turn their heads, because they give out so much glamour and they really do look feminine.

Causes for Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction are many. If you are one of the many thousands of men who take antidepressants, use alcohol, smoke, use antihistamines, antihypertensive drugs for blood pressure control, chemotherapy, diuretics, narcotics and or ulcer medications, they you may be experiencing some degree of impotence or Erectile Dysfunction.

Medications alone are not always the cause for impotence, there are things such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries caused by the build up of plaque), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), High blood pressure, High cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, psychological stress, low sperm counts, illness and lack of desire for one’s partner or depression.

It is noted in the medical arena that about 50% of males with diabetes will experience some degree of ED and the other 50% will most likely experience impotence over time.

That being said, it is important to note that if a male should present to the emergency department with chest pain, he should be well advised to inform the emergency doctors and nurses if he is or has taken any of the ED medications on the market such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. The protocol for most emergency departments is to introduce you to MONA. This is an acronym for (M)morphine, (O)oxygen, (N)nitroglycerin, (A)asperine. The mechanism of Nitro is that it lowers your blood pressure. It in combination with and ED medication that may have been taken in the past 24 to 48 hours can cause your blood pressure to bottom out and subsequently cause serious cardiac problems for you.

It is important to note here, that you should NOT take someone else’s ED or any other medication with out first checking with your family Physician or medical provider.

Denny Knutson, LPN,EMT, Maa
Emergeny Room Nurse
Bellin Health – Bond Health Center

It takes only seconds to take a picture but the memories captured in it last a life time. If you find yourself running and hiding every time someone pulls out a camera because you don’t like how you look in photos. Now is the time to stop running and implement the following simple tips so you can start creating some beautiful memories. Whether it’s a special occasion and big event or something has simple has a family reunion or vacation you will look picture perfect in every photo your in.

- Select an outfit that flatters your figure. Be sure that the outfit you chose has a neckline that’s very flattering to you

- Wear only colors that look good on you.

- Unless you’re the bride avoid wearing all white. It will make you look large and distract from your face.

- Don’t wear large bold prints or patterns.

- Wear earnings and a necklace. Even a simple pendent and a plain pair of earrings will add a degree of style to your outfit that will enhance your appearance.

- Always make sure your hair is clean.

- Select hairstyles that are flattering to you.

- Use styling products that will hold your style but won’t make your hair appear stiff and unnatural.

- Select a hair color that enhances your complexion

- Avoid extreme hairstyles. You don’t want hair bigger then your head nor do you want to completely pull your hair back from your face because this could make you look older and can even make your head look to small for your body.

- Use only long wearing, smudge proof, water proof cosmetics – Use face powder to set makeup and reduce shine.

- Use a foundation with a matte finish.

- Do not use any cosmetics with a shimmer or shiny texture.

- Use clear light to medium color eye shadow.

- Use a lip balm or lip cream before applying your lipstick.

- Use a medium shade, cream formula lipstick.

- Smile with your eyes and your mouth ( just as the photo is being taking think of someone you love or think of something humorous )

- Brighten your smiles with a teeth whitener. Be sure to discuss with your dentist what product is best for you.