Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: May 26, 2010
The following article is brought to you by our December sponsor, VESIcare® (solifenacin succinate) tablets.
For many, the holidays represent an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, shop for presents and look forward to the new year. However, for approximately 17 percent of American women (one in six) who suffer from a chronic condition called overactive bladder, the holidays may include added anxiety and stress due to their condition.
Women with overactive bladder experience some combination of urgency (an overwhelming need to go to the bathroom right away), frequency (the need to go to the bathroom more than eight times in a 24-hour period) and urge incontinence (a sudden and urgent need to go to the bathroom, followed by leakage). For these women, the inevitable holiday stress associated with travel delays, long lines and crowded malls may be heightened even further by having to find available bathrooms very quickly during their excursions, and could increase the risk for embarrassing accidents or leakages.
Because the condition arises gradually, it is common for people with overactive bladder to adapt their routines over a period of years and fail to recognize how badly their lives are being disrupted. Many may not realize they don’t have to put up with bladder issues and change their lifestyle, rather than facing the problem head on by seeking treatment. If you find yourself “hustling” through the crowds and repeatedly “bustling” to the closest bathroom this holiday season, it may be time to ask your doctor if you are affected by overactive bladder.
Here are some signs:
- Mapping out bathroom locations prior to embarking on holiday shopping sprees
- Anticipating travel times and plotting rest stops when driving from one store to another
- Avoiding social activities or cutting down on the fluids you drink during holiday parties even if you’re thirsty
- Bringing pads or extra clothing with you when you are staying with relatives in case you have an accident
- Avoiding holiday colors and limiting your wardrobe to darker colors to conceal leaks
Take care of yourself this holiday season by proactively talking to your healthcare professional if you feel that you may be experiencing the symptoms of overactive bladder. Keep track of your bladder habits for a few days before your appointment so you can provide more detail regarding the symptoms you’re experiencing. You can use the Bladder Symptoms Checklist to more easily monitor and record what your daily symptoms are and discuss them with your doctor.
Your healthcare provider may advise behavioral modifications, prescription medications, or even surgery. An effective treatment approach often includes a combination of both behavioral modifications and prescription medication. There are prescription medications currently available, such as VESIcare® (solifenacin succinate), that help control the bladder muscle to reduce urges and leaks day and night.
Don’t let overactive bladder add extra stress to your holiday season; become informed and be proactive about your health. To learn more, visit The Ladies’ Room or vesicare.com.
Important Safety Information
VESIcare is for urgency, frequency and leakage (overactive bladder). VESIcare is not for everyone. If you have certain stomach or glaucoma problems, or trouble emptying your bladder, do not take VESIcare. Tell your doctor right away if you have a serious allergic reaction, severe abdominal pain, or become constipated for three or more days. VESIcare may cause blurred vision, so take care while driving or doing unsafe tasks until you know how VESIcare affects you. Common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, and indigestion.
For complete Prescribing Information for VESIcare, click here.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information provided in this article is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment of a specific medical condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your conditions.
Editorial review for this article provided by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and The GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.
With the exception of this article, Astellas and GlaxoSmithKline are not responsible for the contents of this newsletter.
VESIcare is a registered trademark of Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
