Urinary incontinence surgery
/ Courtesy: NBC News
It's a problem that affects a lot of people, but it's not something that most people want to talk about. Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control is an embarrassing issue for many people, but a simple surgery could help.
Linda Ridinger is undergoing surgery that will hopefully improve her quality of life. "Well, I'm a little bit nervous it's the day of surgery but I'm apprehensive," she said.
Like millions of Americans, the 65-year-old has incontinence. She leaks urine when she coughs or sneezes.
The National Association for Continence estimates that one in four women over the age of 50 and one in ten men has urinary incontinence. "It's very annoying very nerve wracking constantly worrying about people seeing you wet," Ridinger said.
Dr. David Clark will be doing a sling procedure on Ridinger. The sling, which is made of polyethylene mesh material, re-supports the urethra, the tube that drains the bladder. It often drops as a result of childbirth and aging. "Obviously this is not a life and death issue it is a quality of life issue," said Dr. David Clark, a gynecologist
The material comes in a kit. The doctor uses an applicator to attach it and then release it. "It stretches a little bit and has this webbing in it so tissues grow in and around help stabilize its position as well," Dr. Clark said.
It takes just a few minutes to put the sling in place. Dr. Clark closes the incision, and in about 20 minutes, the procedure is done.
Weeks later, Ridinger is back to her normal routine and says she feels the sling has helped. "I am much more relaxed when I go away I don't have to worry about where the bathrooms are and things like that," she said.
Do you know anyone who suffers from incontinence? Do you think this procedure might help? Leave your thoughts below.
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Information courtesy of NBC News.
