F814Z Spring 2024 Is Your Bladder Being a Brat?

F814Z  Is Your Bladder Being a Brat?
Wednesday, 2:15—3:40, May 15
One session
Instructor: Michele Romano
Did you know that 11-34% of men over age 65 and 50% of women over age 50 suffer from some form of urinary incontinence? The economic, emotional and social burden is significant. It can be a real challenge (aka, PIA) and a major impact on our ability to live life to the fullest. Many people (men more so than women) are hesitant to discuss this with their healthcare providers. We will start with a brief overview of the anatomy and physiology of the urinary tract system. There are several types of urinary incontinence and different diagnostic modalities for each. It is not a one-size-fits-all. Treatment starts with avoidance of certain triggers such as foods, drinks, and behaviors. Bladder training and exercises can also be helpful. More advanced treatments include mechanical interventions, medications, and surgical options. What about all the personal hygiene products on the market and how to decide? We’ll look at those also.
Michele Romano is a family physician who retired in 2015. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and held a faculty appointment as an associate professor of Clinical Medicine at VCU. She served on both the VCU board of trustees and the VCU health system board.