Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder:The Silent Conditions
Researching Natural Options to Maintain Healthy Bladder Control
We are all comfortable talking about cardiovascular issues, mind and brain function, even digestive wellness, but the topic of bladder health is one that gets little attention. Whether only vaguely touched upon or completely ignored, bladder issues such as urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) receive disproportionately low coverage considering their prevalence throughout the world. Consider these statistics:
- It is estimated that 17 million Americans can medically be diagnosed with UI or involuntary loss of urine.
The National Institute of Health
- Approximately 33 million Americans suffer from OAB, urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.
Journal of Urology
- Is it estimated that 50 percent of women and 30 percent of men will have bladder control problems during their lifetime.
American Urological Association
- More than 50 percent of the elderly population suffers from UI.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Despite these staggering figures, why is it that we rarely read or hear about the issue itself? First and foremost, UI and OAB have been flagged as “taboo” topics. Sufferers are not eager to talk openly about their experiences, as it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to discuss. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that due to the social stigma associated with UI, it is vastly underdiagnosed and underreported.
Another possible reason that people aren’t talking about adult bladder issues is the fact that the market segment has only recently been recognized as financially viable. Theta Reports estimates that by the end of 2006, the worldwide market for urinary incontinence treatments will balloon to more than $7 billion, up from a mere $276 million in 2000. And with the baby boomer population turning 60 in the next few years, UI and OAB associated with aging will inevitably soar to new heights.
No matter what the reason for the lack of public attention, UI and OAB are serious health issues that deeply affect people. Here are some real-life testimonials that illustrate the impact these conditions have on people’s daily lives:
by Tracey Seipel, ND
- “It is embarrassing to live with urinary incontinence. I know the locations of all the McDonalds on the I-5 corridor from my home all the way to Olympia, Washington. I cannot go more than an hour between bathroom breaks. As a very fastidious person, I would rather not have a leakage accident.”
- “It’s a very uncomfortable feeling, like I have body odor all of the time; like people can smell me coming or would not like to be around me because of the odor. I kind of feel like my body is betraying me.”
- “I am acutely aware that I must wear protection all the time and stay close to a bathroom if at all possible. Taking a long walk as a tourist or going through a museum becomes a challenge.”
As you can see, both the physiological and psychological aspects of dealing with bladder issues can take its toll on a person. Researchers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have found that people with bladder control issues experience a poorer quality of life. Sufferers become reclusive and isolated, being too embarrassed to talk about their bladder issues and too afraid to venture to unfamiliar surroundings, many believing that the only option is to simply “learn to live with it.” However, there are a variety of ways that bladder health can be addressed—these include pharmaceutical, behavioral and natural approaches.
PHARMACEUTICAL OPTIONS
There are various drug therapies used to improve bladder control. Unfortunately, most drug therapies for bladder control are associated with unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, and memory loss. Some drugs can produce harmful long-term side effects; specifically, estrogen therapy has been shown to increase risks of breast and uterine cancers. These negative side effects are a worry to many people and make long-term patient compliance a challenge.
BEHAVIORAL OPTIONS
National continence groups recommend behavioral interventions and exercises. Bladder control training involves teaching the bladder to completely fill and empty. It is important to consume adequate fluids, avoiding diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol, and avoid going to the toilet “just in case.” Kegel exercises, or pelvic floor exercises, aim to strengthen the muscles that control bladder emptying. These pelvic floor muscles are those that contract if you are urinating. It is recommend to regularly exercise (contract and relax) these muscles to help them strengthen, just as you would exercise other muscles that may need strengthening.
NATURAL OPTIONS
Natural herbal and nutrient options are also worth considering for supporting bladder control. Some key herbs have a long history of use for bladder health. Both Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Crateva nurvala are documented in Western and Ayurvedic/Indian medicine texts, respectively, as means to improving bladder tone and control.
Horsetail is high in silica, a mineral known to support collagen and known as a urinary astringent and antispasmodic, which relieves involuntary muscle spasms. Crateva has been shown in research to improve bladder tone and total bladder capacity with reductions in urinary frequency, incontinence and retention of urine. Crateva also improves urine flow, thereby helping the bladder to empty completely (equating to decreased residual urine volume).1, 2 This combination of herbs is available in a dietary supplement ingredient called UroLogic™.
UroLogic is a proprietary herbal and mineral formula that clinical research has shown to be effective in supporting the bladder and surrounding tissues and in helping to maintain proper bladder tone.1 The calcium and magnesium used in UroLogic are known to support proper nerve and muscular function. Clinical research has shown that UroLogic’s blend of Crateva, Horsetail and the minerals calcium and magnesium is the optimal combination and dosage to naturally support proper bladder tone and function as we age and after child birth.1, 3, 4, 5
Recent research has suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) contributes to the incidence and worsening of UI in women because it may weaken the collagen support of the bladder and surrounding area.5 The mechanism of action of UroLogic is considered to be via improving collagen and connective tissue support in the bladder and surrounding area, not via anticholinergic effects of many drug therapies for bladder control, which are associated with the negative side effects mentioned above.1 As such, the beneficial effects of UroLogic increase over a one to two month period, with 50 percent of trial participants experiencing effects after one month of use and 80 to 85 percent of trial participants experiencing best effects after two months of use.5
RESEARCH
UroLogic has undergone international clinical research, including a clinical trial in Australia and a placebo controlled clinical trial conducted in the U.S.
Clinical Trial (Australia)—The first study conducted in Australia assessed the effectiveness of UroLogic on 34 participants (six males and 28 females) who experienced symptoms of urge incontinence and/or stress incontinence.1, 4 The results indicate that, on average, the frequency of urination during the day reduced steadily during the three month study to within the normal range by the end of the study (end of month three). There was also a gradual reduction in night awakenings (Nocturia) over the three months from 2.5 times per night initially to less than once a night at the end of the study (Figure 1). Many of the participants were able to sleep though the night after two months of treatment. The results of questionnaires clearly showed that quality of life (assessed through difficulty in doing daily and social activities, as well as emotional health and feelings of frustration) are adversely affected by having poor bladder control. In all areas participants were less bothered (and more confident) in these activities within four weeks, with continual improvement reported throughout the rest of the study.
In conclusion, the study found that UroLogic was a suitable and effective supplement for both men and women and that improved control occurred after four weeks, with further improvement by eight weeks. UroLogic was not associated with any adverse reactions.
Clinical Trial (U.S.) -A second randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of UroLogic in reducing the symptoms of OAB and UI in 98 participants.1, 5 Results showed that participants who took UroLogic demonstrated greater reduction of frequency and leakage compared to placebo by the second month.5 (Figure 2) The results of the questionnaires indicated that the women taking UroLogic reported an improvement in quality of life, particularly related to travel and feeling frustrated, by the second month. UroLogic’s safety was also assessed during this trial, and it was shown to be very well tolerated and unlikely to interfere with drug medication.
Figure 1 - Frequency of urination in the day and durring the night when using UroLogic
Figure 2 - Percentage of participants demonstrating a positive response to active (UroLogic) and placebo by month 2
Bladder health is a concern for many Americans. It impacts what we do, where we go, our confidence levels, and sense of freedom. It is time to openly discuss bladder health and become informed about what options are available. Although sufferers have often “learned to live with” poor bladder health, recent scientific research and development efforts are making natural dietary ingredients a viable option for those looking for support for healthy bladder control.
References
1. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and this ingredient is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease or disorder.
2. Deshpande, P.J., Sahu, M., Pradeep, Kumar. Crateva nurvala Hook and Forst (Varuna)—the Ayurvedic drug of choice in urinary disorders. Indian J Med Res. 1982;76(Suppl):46-53.
3. Steels, E., Ryan, J., Seipel, T., Rao, A. Crateva and Equisetum reduce urinary incontinence symptoms. 2002;8.
4. Steels, E., Schauss, A. The effectiveness of UroLogic™ (containing Crateva and Equisetum) in reducing the symptoms of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Poster presentation at: SupplySide West; November 2005; Las Vegas, NV.
5. Schauss, A.G., Spiller, G., Chaves, S., Gawlicka, A. Reducing the symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence: results of a two-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Poster presentation at: Experimental Biology Conference; April 2006; San Francisco, CA.
6. Hendrix, S. et al. Effects of estrogen with and without Progestin on urinary incontinence. JAMA. 2005;293.
Tracey Seipel, N.D., is the technical and research director for BioLogic Health Solutions and has spent the last 10 years researching natural therapeutic health products to manage the symptoms of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder associated with aging and childbirth.
Features
Departments
© Copyright 2009 The Wellness Imperative People All Rights Reserved.
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by The Wellness Imperative People or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Developed by ZionSEO.com
