OWM Book Review: Overcoming Overactive Bladder: Your Complete Self-Care Guide

    More than 17 million Americans suffer from overactive bladder (OAB). Despite the prevalence of this costly problem ($16 to $18 billion is spent on the condition annually), the authors of Overcoming Overactive Bladder succeed in portraying the condition as manageable by presenting real-life scenarios and experiences of OAB patients. Prevalence, causes, ramifications, and management methods are discussed in a reader-friendly manner and an extensive glossary of relevant terms enhance both professional care provider and patient understanding of the condition.

    Common misconceptions and general behaviors exhibited by persons with OAB, such as carrying a spare set of clothing in case of an incontinent episode are addressed, enabling the reader to identify OAB as a personal concern. Two chapters provide clinical insights onto “Understanding the Bladder” and “Related Types of Bladder Disorders.” The first educates the reader about the urinary system, its functions, and potential dysfunctions. The second explains conditions such as prostatitis, cystitis, and infection. Obtaining proper treatment is dependent on accurate identification of an individual’s particular problem. These two chapters address appropriate assessment and differential diagnoses.

    Other chapters present information on the causes and social ramifications of OAB as well as seeking help in a timely manner. The symptoms of incontinence — particularly urgency and frequency — have significant physical, psychological, and social implications, including restriction of recreational activity, depression, loss of self-esteem, and sexual dysfunction. The authors strongly recommend that the patient seek help when the symptoms first occur; however, most people mistakenly believe that successful treatment doesn’t exist which explains why they go untreated, undermining their quality of life.

    Persons identified as being at risk for OAB include the elderly, African American women, and people with long-standing medical problems or disabilities. Regardless of demographic, people with OAB are advised to actively participate in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. The authors offer techniques to facilitate such participation: questions to ask oneself before seeing a medical provider, instructions on keeping a bladder diary, and information on selecting the most competent medical provider for OAB.
The bladder diary is a helpful tool for the person with OAB. It allows the person to secure a better understanding of when/where/how symptoms occur so the medical provider will have the information necessary to develop a treatment plan appropriate to the individual’s condition/situation. The book provides a blank bladder diary for the reader to copy and use.

    In addition, the book details many tests the medical provider may conduct to help diagnose OAB and provides an excellent overview of drug therapy and behavioral training programs including bladder retraining techniques, pelvic muscle exercises (Kegels), and dietary changes. Other methods of treatment – surgical interventions, electrical stimulation, pessaries, absorbent products, and urine collection devices (eg, external catheters for men) — also are presented.

    The book devotes a section to skin health. The connection between OAB and the potential for skin breakdown and rashes is explored. Basic skin care techniques to protect the skin’s acid mantle are described to forestall the pain and devastation from skin breakdown due to incontinence.

    Caring for the older person with OAB is of special concern. Recognizing when a family member is suffering from OAB, the problem of “silence” with regard to the condition, and the physical toll of caring for the person with OAB are addressed. Helpful tips for assisting a family member with toileting at home are provided along with nursing home care — the emphasis is on keeping the resident as independent as possible while maintaining good quality of life. Useful appendices on manufacturers of drugs and products, self-help groups and resources, and relevant Internet sites round out the text.

    Whether caring for someone with OAB or experiencing it for oneself, this book offers experience-based, practical information to help patients deal with a delicate and often unnecessarily devastating problem.