Are Pads and Diapers a Natural Sign of Aging?

You have seen the ads on TV and in magazines. Pads and adult diapers are advertised for those that have lost bladder control. You can use their product and continue to have an active lifestyle; go to church, play golf, go shopping. But is a lack of bladder control a normal sign of aging? The advertisers would want you to think so. But the answer is NO.

Both men and women can suffer from poor bladder control, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. Women are more likely to suffer from poor bladder control if they have had many children. As the pelvic floor muscle that support the bladder and the uterus age, the muscles sag, making it harder to control the urine flow. Men also have bladder problems. A large prostate may cause difficulty starting, maintaining or ending the urine stream. Many elders cannot make it to the bathroom in time when they feel the urge to urinate due to inability to control the bladder or to other problems such as arthritis and other mobility problems. But pads and adult diapers are not the answer.

Talk to your health care provider if you have to urinate more than eight times during the day, have to get up many times to urinate at night, or have wetting accidents. Simple tests can determine if you have bladder control problems, or urinary incontinence. A variety of exercises and medicines are designed to help patients with bladder control issues.

Some men with a large prostate may need medicines to shrink the prostate. Others with more advanced prostate enlargement may need surgery to remove prostate tissue that presses on the urethra, a tube running from the bladder to the outside of the body. Other men with loss of bladder control may have an enlarged prostate that is cancerous. A thorough digital rectal exam and a PSA blood test can determine whether the prostate is just large or cancerous. Surgery can be done to remove a cancerous prostate, or radiation therapy can be utilized.

Women with bladder control issues that do not improve with exercise may be candidates for biofeedback, pessary placement, or bladder surgery to tack the bladder back in place.

The bottom line is (pardon the pun) that loss of bladder control is NOT a normal sign of aging. Talk to your health care provider today. Save your money. Don't buy adult diapers.

Is Grandpa Old, Forgetful, Ornery, Tired or Depressed?

Many elders blame everything on getting old. They tend to think that forgetfulness, lack of sleep, sleeping too much, getting ornery are all natural things that happen as we age. These symptoms could be a sign of Depression.

Depression can happen to anyone. And Depression is not your fault. Many times Depression is hereditary. Depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. And Depression can be easily treated with medications once it is diagnosed. Some depressed patients may need counseling.

Some signs and symptoms of Depression include:

• Sleep Disturbances; sleeping too much or inability to sleep
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite, weight loss
• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to Concentrate
• Lack of interest in things formerly involved in: golf, fishing, church
• Loneliness
• Moodiness, crying, more emotional
• Isolation
• Fear of crowds
• Lack of confidence

If you have a loved one that shows any of the signs listed above, get them help. Get them assessed by a health care professional. Many elders are afraid to mention memory loss because they are afraid of the diagnosis of dementia. Depression is easily diagnosed and treated with medications and has a good outcome.

The Other Medications; Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements

Many of us take Herbs and Supplements every day, even without thinking. Most of us think that extra Vitamin C can prevent a cold. B12 is touted to give one more energy. Cranberry juice is supposed to stave off a urinary tract infection. Saw Palmetto is used by many men with prostate problems. But do these medicines work? And are they safe?

Herbs have been used as medicines for many years. Before the manufacture of medicines, families used herbs in teas and poultices for what ailed them and their loved ones. While some may be old wives' tales, there are many herbs that are very effective. When you go to a nutrition store, or the vitamin section of your local grocery store, there are plenty of herbs, vitamins, minerals and supplements to choose from.

While it is true that we should get most of our nutrition from the food we eat, it is often impossible to get all of it from food alone. Some of the supplements that I recommend every day in private practice include:

• Calcium for stronger bones
• Vitamin D for better absorption of Calcium
• Multivitamins- no matter how well we eat, we need to make sure we have the recommended daily allowance of minerals and vitamins.
• Iron for iron deficiency anemia
• Super B Complex for pernicious anemia
• Vitamin C for general health and cold prevention
• Rose hips for arthritis pain
• Glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis pain
• Folic acid for prevention of neural tube defect in pregnancy
• Probiotics for prevention of yeast infections after taking antibiotics
• Melatonin for insomnia
• Fish Oil for high cholesterol
• Flax Seed meal for high cholesterol and fiber
• Psyllium for constipation
• Aloe Vera for burns
• Primrose Evening Oil and Black Kohosh for hot flashes
• Echinacea for cold prevention
  

You may have other favorites to add to this list. Many herbs are safe. You have to take into consideration that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and actual amounts of these herbal medicines can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Try to find a good name brand of supplements and stick to that brand. Tell your health care provider and your pharmacist what supplements you are taking. Some may interfere with prescription and over the counter medicines you take.

The Pain of Arthritis

There are many kinds of arthritis. The most common types are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. If you have joint pain, your Health Care Provider can diagnose what type of Arthritis you have.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of Arthritis. The pain of Osteoarthritis is caused by a gradual decrease of the amount of cartilage between joints and the rubbing of bone against bone. The most common sites of pain are the wrist, hands, hips and knees. Osteoarthritis is a very common ailment for all of us as we age. It can manifest itself as stiffness upon wakening and generally gets better as we move around in the morning. Stiffness usually lasts about 30 minutes and gets better as the day goes on. Osteoarthritis can lead to major joint damage, difficulty in walking, and eventual surgical joint replacement.

Common treatments for Osteoarthritis include:

• Tylenol or Acetaminophen. This is the first treatment recommended by the Arthritis Foundation. The maximum safe dose of Tylenol is two 500 mg capsules 4 times a day, a total of 2 grams/day. It works for many people. The advantage of this drug is that it does not cause stomach upset. The disadvantage is that it should not be taken by people with liver problems.
• Over the counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS). Ibuprofen and Naproxyn Sodium are the most common OTC medications. Brand names include Motrin-IB, Aleve and Advil. They are very effective. The disadvantages to these drugs are stomach upset and the possibility of causing stomach ulcers. They should not be taken by patients with kidney problems.
• Prescription NSAIDS. These medications are stronger than their OTC counterparts and are very effective. Common names are Motrin, Daypro, Relafen, Votaren, Arthrotec. The disadvantages to these medications are they are more expensive and are more prone to cause stomach problems.
• Prescription pain medications. These medications are traditionally added on if other medications do not relieve pain. Two common medications are Darvocet and Lortab. These medications can provide pain relief. They can cause drug dependence and impaired mental function and decreased coordination. Care should be taken when taking these medications and driving or operating machinery.
• Herbs and Supplements. Glucosamine is a common OTC medication that brings relief to about 40 percent of patients that try them. Rose hips capsules have shown to be more effective than Glucosamine for Osteoarthritis pain.
• Arthritic rubs. Ben Gay has been around for years. Other popular rubs include Bio-Freeze, Capsaisin, Emu Oil, Aspercreme and countless others. These are safe if you are not allergic to the ingredients and give temporary relief to Osteoarthritis pain.
  
• Hot and cold treatment. Many patients say that a hot shower is the best relief for their aches and pains. Heating pads should be used with caution. Thermacare patches produce heat when applied to the skin. Other patients swear by cold packs applied to the painful joints. These treatments are inexpensive, generally safe and effective, but temporary.
  

When medications don't work there are other non-surgical options. There are several medications that can be injected into the knee to improve the viscosity between joints. These are usually given as a series of multiple injections and are more expensive than oral medications. These treatments are often covered by insurance. Injections can be done by your Health Care Provider or an Orthopedic Physician. They are often given under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance to make sure the medicine is given in exactly the right place.

Surgery is the last option for Osteoarthritis and performed by an Orthopedic Surgeon. When all the above treatments fail your Health Care Provider may refer you to an Orthopedic specialist.

The best treatments for Osteoarthritis are early treatments. Ask your Health Care Provider for advice about which treatments are best for you and your pain.