Increasing Physical Activity Can Help Minimize Urinary Incontinence In Women

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 24 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Imagine not being able to travel on a plane or avoiding physical activities for fear that, at any moment, your bladder may leak. Studies show many women simply "deal" with urinary incontinence (UI) because they deny the problem, are embarrassed or assume it is a normal part of the aging process. They experience feelings of low self-esteem and a lower quality of life, and often limit their physical activity to avoid accidents.

In the October 2008 issue of Urologic Nursing, Jane Anthony Peterson describes how increasing physical activity can help minimize UI. Limiting physical activity to deal with UI actually increases the risks for many other health problems including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. She reports other studies which show increasing physical activities, such as walking, bicycling, housework and gardening, go a long way to decrease the risk of UI.

Urology nurses can help patients by initiating conversations to determine if urine leakage is a problem for them, says Peterson, and providing instruction on how to correctly perform Kegel exercises. She notes that women should "learn to isolate and contract the pelvic floor muscles in order to strengthen the necessary muscles to reduce UI."

Nurses should also encourage increased physical activity and weight management strategies, both effective in reducing the risk of UI. Employing these strategies can effectively reduce UI in middle-aged and older women, improve their quality of life and reduce health care costs associated with UI, says Peterson. (Minimize Urinary Incontinence: Maximize Physical Activity in Women; Jane Anthony Peterson, PhD, RN, ARNP, FNP-C; Urologic Nursing; October 2008; http://www.suna.org)

About SUNA

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates is a national, non-profit professional membership association with over 3,000 members and annual revenues of $1.5 million. SUNA derives its income from membership dues (only $60), conference registration fees, exhibits, advertising, grants, and the sale of educational products. SUNA publishes a professional, peer-reviewed bi-monthly journal (Urologic Nursing Journal) and a bi-monthly newsletter (Uro-Gram). SUNA establishes the scope and standards of urologic nursing practice and the scope and standards of advanced urologic nursing practice. SUNA provides scholarships, grants and awards to deserving nurses and other health care professionals. SUNA supports and promotes the certification of urologic nurses and associates by providing educational preparation for the examinations offered which lead to certification in three areas. SUNA provides a variety of opportunities for participation including local chapters, task forces and Special Interest Groups (SIGS) in five major subspecialty areas.

Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates