Bladder problems affect millions of people, yet few are comfortable publicly or openly discussing their symptoms (urgency, frequency, and pain). This makes it difficult for patients with bladder disorders to obtain the support and resources they need. Those who’ve been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC) or chronic pelvic pain are often told that there is no cure for their ailments. Indeed, standard treatments used with these conditions are not always effective or lasting. As a result, many people with bladder problems are looking for comprehensive information and alternative options for recovery. Wendy Cohan wrote The Better Bladder Book to give people who suffer from bladder problems more options. As a registered nurse, she has provided health information, planned treatments, and cared for patients with any number of bladder conditions. She’s studied the research and consulted with the experts. Additionally, she was a long-time sufferer of IC herself until she facilitated her own successful recovery using the treatment options described in this book. The Better Bladder Book guides readers to bladder wellness by emphasizing lifestyle changes and self-treatment. Exercises and assessments help readers track their recovery progress. A week-by-week approach begins with an understanding of the diagnosis, leads to discovering the factors that cause or exacerbate symptoms, and ends with implementing the changes needed to reduce symptoms and recover bladder health. Cohan introduces the book with a description of the anatomy and function of the urological system and the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of typical bladder problems. She lists frequently-prescribed medications, explains how they work, and identifies their side effects. She discusses physical therapy as an option as well as the more invasive procedures. The bulk of the book picks up where medical treatment leaves off. Diet is a main focus and Cohan explains how diet affects the bladder, including the role of food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerance. She creates handy lists of healthful and harmful foods and offers a selection of diets to try, especially allergy elimination, gluten-free, and anti-inflammatory diets. Optional weekly meal plans are included. A special section on medicinal herbs and teas explains how these herbal recipes can be used to target individual symptoms, the adrenals, or increase overall bladder function. Like all aspects of health, bladder health is improved by daily exercise, good rest, and a reduction of stress. Cohan describes the benefits of regular exercise on bladder symptoms, its role in stress and pain reduction, boosting the immune system, controlling inflammation, and alleviating depression. Stress reduction techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and calming activities are emphasized. Techniques for easing stress-induced pelvic floor tension are also explored. Finally, sleep can be particularly difficult to get if one is in pain or frequently waking to use the toilet. Cohan supplies tips for a better night’s sleep, including practicing good sleep hygiene, additional relaxation exercises, and the use of calming herbal teas. If medication, diet, and lifestyle changes aren’t enough to bring about bladder wellness, there may be an additional problem that was missed at the first assessment. Cohan identifies many of these conditions and invites readers to continually self-assess, make diet and lifestyle adjustments, and consult with their doctors as well as themselves. Cohan’s goal is to leave no stone unturned in the quest for bladder health. With the diet, exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques described in the book, the thorough description of medical treatments and procedures, and the question and answer section and other resources, readers should have all the information they need to

Author: Cohan, Wendy
Publisher: Hunter House
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: The Better Bladder Book
Pages: 00288 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2011-02-15
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780897935555
Category: Health & Fitness : Diseases - Genitourinary & STDs