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Bladder Function Myths
(Questions & Answers)
Q. Do symptoms of frequency &
urgency usually signal a bladder infection?
A. False: The most common cause of
frequency & urgency is inflammation of the urethra (urine tube). This
condition is called urethritis.
Q. Inflammation & infection are
always associated with bacteria?
A. False: Inflammation is generally
thought to be a non-bacterial
event associated with irritation, while infection is associated
with bacteria.
Q. The mid-stream clean catch urine
is an accurate method to
assess for a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
A. False: The mid-stream clean catch
is commonly contaminated with bacteria & misleads healthcare providers
greater than 50% of the time.
Q. Doctors generally treat the
findings from the mid-stream clean
catch?
A. True: Despite the likelihood that
the findings do not
reflect accuracy, antibiotics are given. Unfortunately, the urine
obtained with a mid-stream clean catch technique is commonly
contaminated with bacteria. When bacteria is identified in
association with urinary symptoms (regardless of how the
urine sample is obtained) antibiotics are prescribed.
Q. UTIs
are always associated with signs & symptoms?
A. False: Chronic infection may allow your body to adjust and
therefore the patient may become less symptomatic.
Q. Sexual intercourse can cause symptoms of a bladder
infection/inflammation associated with frequency and
urgency?
A. Absolutely true: Women commonly associate this
activity as a cause of a bladder infection similar to honeymoon
cystitis.
Q. Urgency incontinence is more common than stress
incontinence?
A. True: Urgency incontinence may be associated
commonly with what you eat (see the CASA Diet), how you
handle stress, hygiene and/or localized urethral irritation. It is
not uncommon to improve bladder/urethral stability by
improving on these areas of concern. Women who improve
these causes of incontinence will find that surgery may be
avoided.
Q. Women with incontinence generally require surgery?
A. False: While some women require surgery, new conservative
products & treatments offer non-surgical remedies.
Q. Is douching beneficial?
A. It could be. Douching may be
performed with an ear and ulcer syringe using epsom salts for
best results. I generally do not recommend pre-packaged
flavored and/or fragrant douche products as they contribute to
inflammation.
Q. Can soaps cause irritative voiding symptoms?
A. Oils,
deodorants and/or lanolin commonly irritate the urethra and
cause inflammatory symptoms. Therefore, non-irritative
cleansing products like Ivory, glycerin or bay soaps should be
considered for hygienic purpose.
Q. Yeast vaginitis cannot cause symptoms of a UTI?
A. Yeast
is commonly associated with urinary symptoms causing
frequency and urgency of urination.
Q. Women who take baths get more UTIs than women who take
showers?
A. False: Warm water baths are helpful to relieve
cramps, stress, and lower back pain. Baths do not increase the
risk of infection, if bath tubs are properly maintained.
Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence
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