Whelehans Health News

Urinary Incontinence Part 3: Treatment Overactive bladder (OAB) is the most common cause if urinary incontinence. I discussed types, causes, symptoms and diagnosis over the last two week. This week I discuss treatment.   Changing drinking habit and diet Some drinks may irritate the bladder including carbonated drinks, diet drinks with the artificial sweetener aspartame, tea, and coffee (both caffeinated or decaffeinated), hot chocolate, blackcurrant juice and citrus fruit juice and alcohol. Drinks that will not irritate the bladder include water, milk, diluted fruit squash and herbal tea. Some foods such as tomatoes and spicy food irritate the bladder. People...

Urinary Incontinence Part 2 Overactive bladder (OAB) is the most common cause if urinary incontinence. Last week I discussed types.   Causes OAB is common and can affect people of any age from children to elderly. Over one in ten adults have OAB. The cause is often unknown. Anxiety can make the problem worse, but this becomes a vicious cycle as OAB can exacerbate anxiety. Stress can also have an influence. The amount and types of fluids drank can influence symptoms. Some drinks such as tea and coffee, alcohol and sugary drinks can make it worse. Nicotine can irritate bladder...

Urinary Incontinence Part 1   Urinary incontinence is any involuntary loss of urine. Urinary incontinence can have a significant detrimental impact on the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of a person. Urinary incontinence is approximately twice as common in women as in men.   There are three main subtypes of urinary incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence: involuntary leakage caused by effort or exertion such as sneezing, coughing or exercise Urgency incontinence (or urge urinary incontinence): involuntary leakage caused by a sudden compelling desire to pass urine which is difficult to defer. Mixed urinary incontinence: involuntary leakage associated with both urgency and...

Asthma (Part 3)   Other treatment options   Leukotriene receptor antagonists (montelukast): an oral drug that acts by blocking part of the chemical reaction involved in inflammation of the airways. Montelukast is particularly beneficial for two types of asthma: asthma predominantly induced by exercise Asthma associated with allergic rhinitis.   Other types of asthma where montelukast has shown efficacy include asthma in obese patients, asthma in smokers, aspirin-induced asthma, and viral-induced wheezing episodes.  Leukotriene receptor agonists help allergic rhinitis symptoms (eg. hayfever) too.   Theophylline: helps widen the airways by relaxing the muscles around them. Theophylline is known to cause...

Asthma (Part 2) Treatment   Treatment is based on relief of symptoms and preventing future symptoms and attacks from developing.   Short-acting beta 2-agonist (SABA) A short-acting beta 2-agonist (SABA) opens the airways and is best known to patients as a reliever inhaler. These work quickly to relieve asthma. They work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways. Examples of beta 2-agonists include salbutamol and terbutaline. They are usually blue in colour. They are generally safe medicines with few side effects unless they are overused. It is important for every asthmatic to have a beta-2 agonist inhaler. If an asthmatic...