URINARY INCONTINENCE – Loss of bladder control

 In Canada alone, there more than 1.5 million men and women of all ages, who have experienced a loss of bladder control at some point in their lives.  And even with such a high number of sufferers, it is a condition that is highly misunderstood.

 

In an Angus Reid random survey of 1,515 men and women, 18 years of age and over, conducted in 1998, some very interesting facts were revealed:

 

• 33% of respondents knew at least one person who suffered from a weak bladder.

• 45% were unable to define the word incontinence.

• 7% defined it incorrectly as “problems with the stomach” or “inability to cope with life”.

 

It has also been estimated that approximately 45% of those who experience symptoms of urinary incontinence never tell their doctor.  This could be because of embarrassment, limited information, fear of surgery or fear of being placed in a nursing home.

 

In a 1997 survey of 800 Canadians suffering from loss of bladder control, almost 90% reported a negative impact on their feeling of well-being.

 

THE GOOD NEWS!  Incontinence is a symptom – not a disease, and once diagnosed, and its underlying causes understood, it can almost always be cured, treated or managed with great success.

 

 

 

PLEASE REMEMBER

Bladder control problems can be caused by many different medical conditions.

Most bladder control problems can be improved.

It is most important to get over your embarrassment – you need to seek treatment

if you are suffering from incontinence.

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What causes incontinence? / Are there different types of incontinence? / 

How is incontinence treated? /

Do you have a urinary incontinence problem? / Glossary of medical terms / Related topics /

Other Resources / I think I have a bladder control problem – what do I do?