Incontinence During Pregnancy Related to Late Life Occurances

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A new study confirms that women who have incontinence during pregnancy are more likely than other women to have the problem after giving birth as well. The good news, researchers say, is that there are ways for women to reduce their risk.

In a study of more than 1,100 first-time mothers, Spanish researchers found that 39% reported urinary incontinence, or urine leakage, at some point during pregnancy. Another 10% said they had anal incontinence, which included uncontrolled passage of gas or stool.

These women were more likely than those without incontinence during pregnancy to have symptoms seven weeks after giving birth.

Overall, 16% of women in the study had urinary incontinence seven weeks after giving birth, while 7% had anal incontinence.

The risks for women who have had these problems during pregnancy were three and six times greater, respectively, compared with women who had remained continent during pregnancy.

The study, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynaecology, also confirmed that vaginal childbirth carries greater risks compared with caesarean section. Women who had a vaginal delivery were three times more likely than those who had a C-section to have urinary or anal incontinence after childbirth.

Of 692 women who had a vaginal delivery and responded to questionnaires seven weeks after childbirth, 139 reported symptoms of urinary incontinence and 57 reported anal incontinence.

The findings confirm vaginal delivery and incontinence during pregnancy as risk factors for post-childbirth incontinence, lead researcher Maite Solans-Domenech, of the Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research in Barcelona, told Reuters Health in an email.

But they also highlight potential ways to reduce the risk, according to Solans-Domenech.

For example, studies have tied excess weight gain to an increased risk of incontinence during pregnancy (in this study, it was linked to anal incontinence only). So gaining only the recommended number of pregnancy pounds may help prevent incontinence both during and after pregnancy.

In addition, exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, known as Kegel exercises, have been shown to lower the risk of pregnancy-related incontinence, Solans-Domenech noted.

As for the mode of delivery, C-sections cannot be considered solely to prevent incontinence, Solans-Domenech said.

However, she added, in cases where a woman already has risk factors for post-childbirth incontinence – such as being older than 35 or having a family history of incontinence — doctors might want to avoid using forceps or other instruments during vaginal delivery, or doing an episiotomy — an incision made to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery.

Past studies have linked instrument-assisted deliveries, particularly in conjunction with episiotomy, to an increased risk of incontinence, Solans-Domenech and her colleagues point out.

Because the current study followed-up with women only seven weeks after they gave birth, it is unclear how many women had long-term symptoms. Past research has suggested that for most women, incontinence goes away within a few months of giving birth, though for some it may become a persistent problem.

Treatments for persistent incontinence include Kegel exercises, behavioural changes (like scheduled bathroom trips), medications and, in more severe cases, surgery.

Source: Obstetrics & Gynaecology, March 2010

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Shaping the Future of Care Together

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The Government has published the White Paper Building the National Care Service. This is a huge step towards creating a care and support system for all adults in England. The National Care Service will be fair for all and offer services free when people need them.

On the same day Imelda Redmond CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK commented on the Government’s White Paper:

“We warmly welcome these bold plans for a National Care Service of the kind that older and disabled people, their families and carers have been calling for. These proposals promise to end the social care postcode lottery and protect families from the crippling costs of care which they currently see draining their savings and putting at risk family homes.

Family carers desperately need these reforms as many are pushed to breaking point due to lack of support from the current system. This White Paper places carers at the centre of social care – recognising that a new National Care Service will not take care away from families, but would support them.

The government has recognised that the demographic challenge of an ageing population makes a National Care Service an economic imperative. Our current care system cannot meet families’ needs and has forced over 1 million people to give up work to care. Government has set out a positive vision in which the social care system supports individuals to juggle work with caring for ill or disabled relatives.

We also welcome plans for a new commission to decide how individuals pay into the proposed social insurance scheme. Given the political point scoring on these issues in recent weeks, it is vital that these questions are dealt with on a consensual basis. Although the vision is clear and ambitious, the White Paper in itself does not contain enough detail on the question of funding. The promised commission on funding must be brought forward as a matter of urgency, to deliver on the specifics, and give families confidence that the sort of care system they need will become a reality.

This White Paper sets social care at centre stage as the election looms and we look forward to care and support forming a key plank in all political parties’ manifestos.”

For those of you that would like to watch the White Paper’s launch event that happened on the 30th of March 2010 visit this link or if you prefer to read the White Paper and supporting documents please visit this link.

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Medtronic reports positive trial data for faecal incontinence therapy

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Medtronic has published data from a clinical study which demonstrates the efficacy of its new treatment for faecal incontinence.

The company’s InterStim Therapy was tested among 120 sufferers of the condition who had previously failed to respond to other treatment options, with the Medtronic implant helping to achieve a reduction in incontinence episodes.

This device functions by applying mild electrical stimulation to the sacral nerves controlling the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, with the aim of delivering perfect continence.

Medtronic senior vice-president and neuromodulation president Tom Tefft stated that the studies show the product’s efficacy in meeting a pressing clinical need.

He said: “InterStim Therapy has a significant impact on quality of life when few other treatment options exist.”

Earlier this month, the company was granted a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration’s circulatory system devices panel for a new pacemaker optimised for safe use with MRI scanners.

Source: http://www.zenopa.com/news/19698987/Medtronic_reports_positive_trial_data_for_incontinence_therapy

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Incontinence Products: Electronic Underwear

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An Australian company named Simavita has created the world’s first pair of electronic underwear, meant to alert carers about patient’s incontinent episodes.

This brilliant innovation was designed to make assessment easier, simpler and more accurate for carers as well as more effective and less embarrassing for users.

Significantly, apart from improving the quality of life for aged care residents and those who care for them, the SIMsystem