Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common condition in the elderly.

In this article:

What is urinary incontinence?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Effect on your life

Treatment

Advice & Support

What is urinary incontinence?
More common in women than men, urinary incontinence is where urine leaks out of the vagina or penis unintentionally. This can happen at any time of the day or night and can be both embarrassing and inconvenient for the individual with the condition. The amount of leaked urine can range from a few tiny droplets to an involuntary flood, depending upon the severity of the condition.

The good news is that, in the vast majority of cases, urinary incontinence can be appropriately treated and cured.

Symptoms
Symptoms of urinary incontinence include:

Passing urine when you don’t want to

Urine leakages triggered by sudden body movements, such as coughing and/or laughing

Bloated bladder (a feeling of pressure on the bladder, even though you have just visited the toilet)

The sudden urge to pass urine

Problems emptying the bladder fully, even though you have already passed a large amount of urine

Note: Many people with severe urinary incontinence develop depressive illness due to struggling to cope with their condition. Please see contact details for the Depression Alliance in the Advice & Support section at the foot of this article.

Causes
Urinary incontinence is generally an expected part of the ageing process – the pelvic floor muscles gradually become weaker with the passing of the years.

However, other causes of urinary incontinence can include:

Urine infection

Diabetes

Bladder problems (i.e. the nerves in and around the bladder)

If you have recently had a baby

As a result of reaching the menopause

If you have Parkinson’s disease or a stroke

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, arrange an appointment with your GP. They will take your medical history and ask your some questions about your symptoms.

A urine sample may be taken, to check for possible infection.

You may then be referred to an urologist for further tests. Once a confirmed diagnosis of urinary incontinence has been made, an appropriate treatment will then be recommended to you.

Effect on your life
For most people with urinary incontinence, their condition can be embarrassing and inconvenient. The sudden urge to pass urine (through urge incontinence) can make life very difficult. Needing to find a toilet in an emergency can obviously have an adverse effect on your work, social and family life.

You may find that wearing special underwear called incontinence pants (normal pants but with a plastic pad inside) helps to absorb the leaking urine.

Treatment
Urinary incontinence can be cured.

As well as prescribed medications, treatments include:

Bladder training – this can be particularly helpful in reducing the sudden urge to find a toilet

Pelvic floor exercises – to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and help prevent urine from leaking involuntarily

Advice on weight-loss and controlling the amount you drink

Hormone replacement therapy – this can sometimes be effective in reducing urinary incontinence in women at the post-menopause stage of their lives.

Advice & Support
The Bladder and Bowel Foundation
Nurse Helpline: 0845 345 0165
Website: www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org

The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation
Tel. 01908 569169
Website: www.cobfoundation.org

Depression Alliance
Tel. 0845 123 23 20
Website: www.depressionalliance.org

This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.

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Understanding the Differences: Osteopath vs Physiotherapist vs Chiropractor

In the field of manual therapy, there are several types of professionals who specialise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Three of the most common types of manual therapists are osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. While these professions share some similarities, they each have unique approaches to treating patients. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors.

Osteopaths
Osteopaths focus on the musculoskeletal system and how it relates to the overall health of the body. They believe that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, and that manual therapy can help facilitate this process. Osteopaths use a range of techniques, including massage, stretching, and joint mobilization, to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and restore balance to the body.

Osteopaths also take into consideration the patient’s lifestyle and environment and may offer advice on exercise, diet, and stress management. Osteopathic treatment is often holistic, addressing not only the patient’s physical symptoms but also their emotional and psychological well-being.

Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists, are experts in movement and function. They undergo a long training and those in the UK will be registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). They focus on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving strength and flexibility. Physiotherapists use a range of techniques, including exercise therapy, manual therapy, and electrotherapy, to achieve these goals. Physiotherapists may use equipment to diagnose and treat patients.

Physiotherapists also work closely with patients to develop personalised treatment plans and may offer advice on injury prevention and lifestyle modifications. In addition to treating musculoskeletal conditions, physiotherapists may also work with patients who have neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular conditions.

Physios also specialise in sports injuries such as running or team sport injuries. They can diagnose the problem and provide effective treatment and exercises to get the individual to full mobility and recovery in many cases. Throughout the treatment, the physio will work with the sportsperson using a range of techniques to improve their flexibility and reduce pain.

Chiropractors
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. They believe that misalignments in the spine can interfere with the body’s ability to function properly and can lead to a range of health problems. Chiropractors use a range of techniques, including spinal manipulation, mobilisation, and soft tissue therapy, to correct spinal misalignments and restore proper function to the body.

Chiropractors also work with patients to develop personalised treatment plans and may offer advice on lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and diet. Chiropractic treatment is often focused on addressing the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms, rather than simply treating the symptoms themselves.

So, what are the main differences between osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors? While they all focus on the musculoskeletal system, osteopaths take a holistic approach to treatment, physiotherapists focus on restoring mobility and function, and chiropractors focus on correcting spinal misalignments. The choice of which physical therapist to see will depend on the patient’s individual needs.

Types of Video Content that Drive Engagement

The internet is booming with video content regarding promotion and marketing, and the reason is obvious. It is no surprise that video marketing has a better ability to give your business the required boost. Thus, this is a significant reason brands started investing in such marketing strategies for better sales. Despite this opportunity, many might need clarification about which type of content works best for their business. This issue arises mainly when you are new to the advertisement scene and require proper guidance.

The article shares detailed information about the types of video content that drive engagement. So, without further delay, let’s get started.

Short Videos
Short videos have revolutionized the way we consume and engage with digital media. Many platforms started to promote such content to grab the attention of their viewers. Interestingly, short videos work as a scroll stopper, forcing them to pause and watch, allowing you to engage the viewers. Make sure to work on the storytelling part to keep the consumers engaged for an extended period. You can take the help of any AI video creator to build suspense along with using creative visuals.

Another reason for the high engagement is these videos are easy to consume. Thus, you get both value and entertainment in a short period.

Animation Videos

Animated videos have a special place when it comes to driving engagement. Now, if you wonder if creating such videos might cost you a lot of money, then don’t worry. Both 2D and 3D animations are pocket-friendly, as you require suitable software to create them. Moreover, plenty of tools that are amongst the best AI video generators help you to create such within a few seconds. These videos are very catchy and perfect to attract the target audience.

Creatively enhance the style, tone, and characters to match your brand identity, thereby increasing the relatability of your content. Visually attractive animated videos tend to get shared more frequently on social media platforms.

360° Experience Videos
These interactive videos attract viewers and help to convert them into your future potential clients. Users can drag the screen to view the surroundings without much hassle. Unlike traditional videos, 360° videos can result in longer viewing times and increased engagement. People are falling in love with Virtual Reality as it offers them a taste of what they can expect in real life. Easily track and analyze creators and gather data on where viewers are looking and how long they stay engaged.

Educational video
As we know, knowledge is the greatest asset any individual can acquire during their career. Educational videos can capture the viewers’ attention and inspire them for a more extended period. Various AI video creators at present can assist you in creating valuable content to cater to a broader audience. Organize the contents logically so that users can get value for their time. This will ensure an increased number of engagements, resulting in multiple sales. Make sure to keep the contents concise and avoid lengthy explanations.

Case study video
People are interested in studying how a business is being built from the start. Preparing a detailed case study video makes them hooked on your content for longer periods. Try to add the monthly statistics to provide a detailed overview of the overall business mechanics. This will put a human face to your content, gaining the trust of your audience. Such videos often get shared on social media platforms, thus maximizing your online reach.

Testimonials

Testimonials are a great form of video content showcasing the brand identity and customer satisfaction. AI video creation plays a good role in building trust, as you can explain your business in a more detailed manner. Generally, the clients give a little background check of the company before making further moves. These videos will help them to determine what they are looking for. Although you can present these testimonials in a written format, a personalized video will surely do wonders regarding engagement and sales.

Conclusion
Thus, the article shared detailed information about the types of video content that drive engagement in the long run. Moreover, utilizing an easy free online video editor can enhance your content creation process, making it more accessible and efficient.

These videos play a more significant role in creating the required funnels to attract new leads and cater to the existing audience. Regularly track and test the uploaded videos to determine which suits your brand best.