BCHS urologist to discuss urinary incontinence
and managing bladder control
Urinary incontinence - the loss of bladder control -
is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity
of it ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you
cough or sneeze to having sudden, unpredictable episodes
of strong urinary urgency. Sometimes, the urgency may
be so strong you do not get to a toilet in time.
Although urinary incontinence affects millions of people,
it is not a normal part of aging or, in women, an inevitable
consequence of childbirth or changes after menopause.
It is a medical condition with many possible causes,
some relatively simple and self-limited and others more
complex.
If you are having enough trouble with bladder control
that it affects your day-to-day activities you may wish
to attend a free educational program to learn how you
can manage and treat this condition.
Patrick Sweeney, M.D. an urologist will discuss urinary
incontinence and the aspects related to effective bladder
control on Thursday, May 21 at Burnham Brook. Dr. Sweeney
will talk about common causes and the various treatment
options and advancements in managing this disorder from
both the pharmacological and medical technological aspects.
The program, which is free to the public, is sponsored
through Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle
Creek Health System. A lunch will be served at 11:30
a.m. followed by Dr. Sweeney 's presentation at noon.
Seating is limited. Reservations can be made by calling
the class/seminar registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS
(877-462-2247).
"Incontinence is a very personal issue that affects
millions of Americans -- young and old, male and female," says
Dr. Sweeney. "The medical community believes that
the more information you have, the better you can understand
this condition which will in turn help you manage how
it impacts your life."
The symptoms for incontinence include urgency, frequency,
and nocturia (awakening from sleep due to an urge to
urinate more than two to three times per night). Stress
incontinence occurs when control of urine is lost during
sneezing, coughing, laughing, or lifting.
There are many factors that lead to incontinence including
bladder infection, obesity, pregnancy and childbirth,
weak pelvic floor muscles, chronic illness/cough, constipation,
medications, urinary tract abnormalities, neuromuscular
disorders, stress, cigarette smoking, excessive caffeine
intake, hormonal changes of menopause, and improper lifting.
In many situations, urinary incontinence can be remedied.
Even if the condition cannot be completely eliminated,
modern products and ways of managing urinary incontinence
can ease your discomfort and inconvenience.
Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle
Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency
on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness
and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun
and surrounding counties.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades
Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades
is a leading health care information company that provides
objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides
excellent health care for the community and promotes
wellness for the whole person with access and compassion
for all. For the latest medical information, visit the
BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing
Department at (269) 966-8132.
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About the Presenter:
Patrick Sweeney, M.D. urologist, received his medical
degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
He completed his surgical internship and residency
at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and
a subspecialty residency in urology at Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and urology fellowship
from UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
He is a member of the American Medical Association,
American Urological Association, and Cleveland Academy
of Medicine. Dr. Sweeney is certified by the American
Board of Urology and practices at Urology Associates
in Battle Creek, MI.
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