Take Control of Your Bladder Health

Almost 1/3 of all American women suffer from urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, far too many of them suffer in silence.

November is Bladder Health Month and a great time raise awareness of common bladder issues to better understand what’s normal and what’s not.

If any of these facts speak to you, contact your doctor or schedule an appointment with a urologist. Regaining control of your bladder and your life may be easier than you think.

FACT 1: Bladder control issues are NOT a normal part of aging.

FACT 2: Urinary incontinence affects men and women but is nearly twice as common in women.

FACT 3: Overactive bladder (OAB) affects about 15% of women across all ages.

FACT 4: Women with overactive bladder (OAB) often deal with it alone for more than 6 years* before discussing it with their doctor.   

FACT 5: Many bladder control issues can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes, medication, medical devices, or, as a last resort, surgery.

BONUS FACT: One of the best things you can do for your bladder health is to drink a lot of water.  Drinking water helps balance salts and sugars within the body and flush out toxins and wastes through the urinary system.  

Not sure how much to drink? A good rule of thumb is to divide your weight by two. That’s the  number of ounces of water you should drink on a daily basis.

If you have questions or concerns about your bladder health, now’s the perfect time to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.

Anthony Donaldson, MD, is a board-certified urologist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.