Regain your freedom from bladder problems

They say that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Despite their differences, one similarity both men and women share is the propensity for bladder health problems, which can put undue stress in their lives.

From urinary incontinence to lower urinary tract symptoms, both men and women at times in their lives experience urinary tract problems. These may include trouble holding or controlling urine or frequent urges to run to the restroom.

Men may have the added concern about poor prostate health and subsequent troubles with sexual function.

These common issues can turn a normally active person into one who is afraid to stray too far from home. Incontinence can be embarrassing and life-altering.

Bladder problems can also eat away at a fixed income. Absorbent undergarments and bedding materials found at the pharmacy can be expensive.

Medical experts are continuing to unearth new treatments for these conditions, some of which have a natural and/or holistic approach, treating the entire body in the process.

Stress brought on by bladder problems can be kept to a minimum by understanding:

• Thirty-three million Americans have incontinence issues. Urinary incontinence (UI) is more common than one might think and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about or a topic to be avoided when speaking with a doctor.

• While UI is largely a condition of the aging population, it can occur at any time. That’s because there’s no one cause for UI. It can be the result of illness (including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, depression and cardiovascular disease, say recent findings), it may arise after childbirth or from pelvic surgery and it can also be a side effect of stress. Therefore, worrying about UI and other bladder issues may only compound the problem.

• Surgery, harsh medications, or other invasive procedures are not the only options for treating bladder issues. In fact, supplementation, dietary changes, exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and other easy steps can go a long way toward easing symptoms. These are long-term, effective solutions that improve the mind, body and general wellbeing.