| Luminis Health

Fulltext search

Content type

General Page Category » Taxonomy term » Name

Women's Health
General Page Tier 3
Bladder Control Problems: 5 Ways Women Can Manage
Bladder control problems: 5 ways women can manage
Bladder control problems: 5 ways women can manage
Blog
Women are more likely to experience bladder control problems, also known as urinary incontinence. Many women think that accidental leakage is a normal part of aging. While incontinence is common, it is not normal. The good news is there are many options for help, and most women who get treatment see their symptoms improve. Here are a few treatment and self-help options to help you manage incontinence. Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Carrying extra weight adds stress to your pelvic floor and impacts function of the nerves and muscles in your genital tract. Also, find a healthy balance of fluid intake to stay hydrated without overdoing it. This can reduce your trips to the bathroom. You also want to drink the right kinds of fluids. Beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks with artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder and create a sudden urge to ‘go.’ Live an active lifestyle. Fitness plays an important role in managing your incontinence. While high-intensity exercises can increase your risk of incontinence by placing pressure on your pelvic floor, regular physical activity keeps you normal. Kegel exercises, with or without the help of a physical therapist or professional trainer, can also help you better control your pelvic floor muscles and help with leakage. Try physical therapy for the pelvic floor. Pelvic physical therapy can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and aid in function of the organs that support your pelvic floor. Physical therapy might include pelvic floor contractions for urge control as well as stretching and strengthening exercises to help decrease pain. Therapists can also help you with proper Kegel technique to make sure you are getting the full benefit of the exercise. Talk to your doctor about medication to help control symptoms. There are several medications available to help manage the muscle spasms in your bladder that cause incontinence. Your doctor can help you learn both the risks and benefits of using medication. Talk to your doctor about minimally invasive surgery treatment. If other treatments fail to improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery to treat incontinence has advanced to include minimally invasive options. Minimally invasive surgery allows for a faster recovery and quick return to daily activities. Most surgical patients leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery. Urogynecology is a field of medicine dedicated to the treatment of pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence, in women. Places like Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Women’s Center for Pelvic Health have urogynecology doctors to help patients of all ages optimize and maintain pelvic wellness. Don’t let incontinence take away from your quality of life. Talk to a urogynecologist about a treatment plan specific to your symptoms. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Her office can be reached at 443-481-1199. Originally published Aug. 28, 2017. Last updated Sept. 1, 2025.
Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Senior Care, Women's Health, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
How to Garden with Hand Arthritis
How to garden with hand arthritis
How to garden with hand arthritis
Blog
If you love to garden, you’re not alone. Almost 75 percent of all U.S. households work on their lawn and garden, according to a 2016 National Gardening Survey. While it may seem like a chore to some, working in your garden can actually be good for both your mind and body. Benefits include exposure to Vitamin D and stress relief, to name just a few. But what if you’re one of the 50 million Americans who have arthritis? According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions that cause joint pain. Two of the most common are degenerative and inflammatory arthritis. Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) involves degeneration of joint cartilage, causing joint pain, stiffness and loss of mobility in hands and wrists. Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when uncontrolled inflammation leads to joint erosion. The type of arthritis you have determines how you manage it. But arthritis doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying a day in your garden. Getting your hands dirty without extra pain can be as simple as working smarter, not harder. Here are some tips for a more enjoyable gardening season: Listen to your doctor or therapist’s advice to manage pain. Make your garden easier to access. For example, raise your garden beds so they’re easier to reach. Choose low-maintenance plants, such as perennials instead of annuals. Choose tools and equipment that encourage good body mechanics and minimize strain. Examples include lightweight tools, tools with ergonomic handles and gloves to protect and cushion joints. Modify your activity in the garden as necessary. Switch tasks every half hour, take breaks and ask for help if you need it. When possible, use larger, stronger joints and muscles. For instance, use your forearms and shoulders to carry objects instead of your fingers or hands. Listen to your body, and stop if you feel pain. Minimize repetitive pinching and gripping, as well as sustained gripping. Weed when the soil is moist. If you have arthritis that is causing wrist or hand pain, talk to a medical professional. A doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist can give you a personalized treatment and pain management plan. Having arthritis doesn’t mean you have to give up growing flowers, fruits and vegetables. Protect your joints, and avoid overuse and fatigue to help keep you in the gardening game. Originally published Sept. 17, 2017. Last updated March 9, 2020. Author Raina Lyght, MPT, is a physical and certified hand therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy. To contact her office, call 443-481-1140.