The amount of urine an adult produces each day depends on many factors, but on average each of us produces between a quarter-gallon and half- gallon.


Ireland Approves Botox to Treat Incontinence


The Irish Medicines Board has approved Botox for treating uncontrolled urinary leaking, or incontinence, especially in adults diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury.


Many people with MS and spinal cord injury experience urinary incontinence due to a disorder that causes involuntary contractions of the bladder. Tis green light could lead to licenses for the treatment in other European countries and possibly even in the US.


Botox is more commonly used to treat the appearance of wrinkles. It is derived from botulinum, a toxin that blocks nerve signals. But the procedure is no longer just found in beauty clinics. Botox also has been approved for treating migraines, excessive sweating, painful spasms, and eye muscle disorders.


FDA Issues Surgical Mesh Alert


Te US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert regarding placement of surgical mesh as a treatment for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence, (SUI), reports Renal & Urology News in its August edition.


According to the FDA, serious complications associated with surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP have been reported and “it is not clear that transvaginal POP repair with mesh is more effective than traditional nonmesh repair in all patients with POP, and it may expose patients to greater risk.”


Back in 2008, the FDA noted that from 2005 to 2007 it received more than 1,000 complaints about surgical mesh devices used to repair POP and SUI. From 2008 through December 31, 2010, the FDA received 2,874 additional reports of complications.


IC/PBS & Diet: Keeping a Balanced Bladder


Chronic interstitial cystitis (IC)—often called “painful bladder syndrome” (PBS)—is a condition that causes pain, pressure, and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic area. It is sometimes accompanied by a frequent urge to urinate. Doctors recognize non-ulcerative and ulcerative forms of the disease, with the former being the most common.


It is believed as many as 8 million men and women in the US suffer from this condition. It can prevent people from working or enjoying intimacy, and it can lead to depression.


The exact cause of IC/PBS is unknown. Some believe it is an autoimmune disorder, while others believe a weakened bladder lining causes urine to irritate the bladder. Backing up this hypothesis, research published in the Journal of Urology finds a link between diet and IC/PBS. The following foods, it seems, can irritate the bladder, leading to flare-ups:


✔ Acidic foods and drinks such as orange, grapefruit, tomato, and cranberry juice. (Note that cranberry juice is often recommended to treat urinary tract infections.)


✔ Spicy foods such as hot peppers and barbecue sauce.


✔ Stimulants such as coffee and tea. (Remember also that caffeine is a diuretic, a substance that increases the need to urinate.)


✔ Sugary drinks such as soda. (The most problematic sodas contain caffeine and artificial sweeteners, both implicated in IC/PBS.)


✔ Others: aged cheese, alcohol, chocolate, fava beans, lima beans, preserved meats, rye bread, sour cream, sourdough bread, tofu, and yogurt.


The good news is that the 2009 Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) Complementary and Alternative Medicine Survey reported that 80% of its 2,000 respondents could control IC/PBS symptoms by adjusting food and drink choices.


A good IC/PBS diet need not be bland, but simple, healthy, and natural is best. Meat is fine, but be careful with sauces. Most veggies are OK, with the exception of tomatoes. Milk, eggs, and ice cream are tolerated, as are mild cheeses. Whole grain breads are best. Unfortunately, fruits seem to irritate the bladder the most, and you may have to be cautious with even the mildest fruits such as honeydew melons or pears.


For more information, visit the Interstitial Cystitis Network at www.ic-network.com or the Interstitial Cystitis Association at www.ichelp.org.


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