When many people first begin experiencing symptoms of the loss of
control of bladder or bowel they feel embarrassed and ashamed. Some
individuals may not even realize that incontinence is a medical problem.
If you are having symptoms of poor bladder or bowel control the first
thing you should do is to talk to your health care professional. He or
she is the right person who can appropriately diagnose and recommend the
applicable treatment and management strategies. However, it can be
embarrassing and even frustrating to talk your doctor about these
symptoms.
Make it easier by taking a moment to write down a list of questions. This can help you to get the most from your doctor visit and lets your doctor know what is of the most concern to you. Here are a few of the things you need to know, and should your doctor about:
1. What kind of incontinence do you think I am having?
2. What could be affecting my symptoms? Are there genetic, or lifestyle factors that may be responsible for this? Could the medications I take be making this worse? Is this the result of pregnancy and childbirth? Is there an underlying medical cause for what I am experiencing?
3. If my problems are the result of a medical condition, will treating it improve my bladder or bowel loss of control?
4. Are there further complications I should be worried about? What do I do if I begin experiencing them?
5. What kind of tests will you be performing? Is there something I need to do to prepare for them?
6. Do I need to keep a written record of my episodes (voiding diary)? Is there any other written information you need?
7. If I refuse to do the treatment you recommend, will my symptoms remain the same, get better, or get worse?
8. Are there lifestyle and dietary changes I could make that would help with my incontinence?
9. Would doing Kegel exercises lead to improvements? Is there someone who can teach me this exercise?
10. What can I do in order to reduce the risk for rashes, odors, and other conditions which can come with urinary incontinence?
11. If the treatment you recommend does not work, are there other treatment options we can explore?
It is critical to understand that this is a treatable issue. If you feel your doctor is not taking your symptoms seriously, or tells you that you will just have to put up with them, you should seek out another doctor. Today, medical professionals are realizing this problem is fairly common and they are no longer ignoring their patients reports.
It is also important to understand treatment can take some time. While you are treating it you should have management strategies in place which will allow you to keep up with your daily life. These strategies can include but are not limited to: having the right incontinence undergarments and other incontinence supplies, and being prepared to deal with accidental leakage or other problems associated with incontinence wherever you go.
Make it easier by taking a moment to write down a list of questions. This can help you to get the most from your doctor visit and lets your doctor know what is of the most concern to you. Here are a few of the things you need to know, and should your doctor about:
1. What kind of incontinence do you think I am having?
2. What could be affecting my symptoms? Are there genetic, or lifestyle factors that may be responsible for this? Could the medications I take be making this worse? Is this the result of pregnancy and childbirth? Is there an underlying medical cause for what I am experiencing?
3. If my problems are the result of a medical condition, will treating it improve my bladder or bowel loss of control?
4. Are there further complications I should be worried about? What do I do if I begin experiencing them?
5. What kind of tests will you be performing? Is there something I need to do to prepare for them?
6. Do I need to keep a written record of my episodes (voiding diary)? Is there any other written information you need?
7. If I refuse to do the treatment you recommend, will my symptoms remain the same, get better, or get worse?
8. Are there lifestyle and dietary changes I could make that would help with my incontinence?
9. Would doing Kegel exercises lead to improvements? Is there someone who can teach me this exercise?
10. What can I do in order to reduce the risk for rashes, odors, and other conditions which can come with urinary incontinence?
11. If the treatment you recommend does not work, are there other treatment options we can explore?
It is critical to understand that this is a treatable issue. If you feel your doctor is not taking your symptoms seriously, or tells you that you will just have to put up with them, you should seek out another doctor. Today, medical professionals are realizing this problem is fairly common and they are no longer ignoring their patients reports.
It is also important to understand treatment can take some time. While you are treating it you should have management strategies in place which will allow you to keep up with your daily life. These strategies can include but are not limited to: having the right incontinence undergarments and other incontinence supplies, and being prepared to deal with accidental leakage or other problems associated with incontinence wherever you go.
Dianna Malkowski is a Physician Assistant and Mayo Clinic trained
nutritionist who helps customers of The CareGiver Partnership with
questions to their caregiving questions. She invites you to visit http://blog.caregiverpartnership.com for more helpful family caregiver information. Also find Incontinence products at http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/landing/incontinence/
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