When it's Time to Talk to Your Doctor About Incontinence
One of the biggest hurdles in the treatment of incontinence or bladder leakage
is for the patient to overcome their embarrassment and to admit that they have
a problem. If you are experiencing incontinence or bladder leakage, talk to
your healthcare provider. Taking this decisionnaire may make things a bit easier.
Check off any of the following that apply to you and take this with you on your
next visit.
| ___ | Do you ever have any accidental loss of urine? If so, how many times per
day? ____ |
| ___ | Do you ever have accidental loss of urine
during your sleep? |
| ___ | Do you have any blood in your urine? (If so, see your doctor as soon as
possible.) |
| ___ | Do you have a sense of urgency that you have to urinate ASAP and that you
might not make it to the bathroom? |
| ___ | Do you routinely urinate more than 8 times per day? |
| ___ | Do you wake up to urinate 2 or more times per night? |
| ___ | Do you have any pain with urination? |
| ___ | Do you leak urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh? |
| ___ | Do you drink coffee, colas, or other beverages containing caffeine? If
so, how many per day?____ |
| ___ | Do you take any medicines that contain caffeine? (e.g. NoDoz, Excedrin,
etc.) |
| ___ | Have you changed any of your activities over time because of urine leakage
or fear of urine leakage? |
___Work habits
___Dress habits (including the daily use
of pads or adult diapers)
___Carrying a change of underwear/clothing
___Travel
___Dancing, aerobics, or other activities
___Intimate relations
___Other
| ___ | Have you had any bladder, pelvic or abdominal surgery? |
| ___ | Have you ever given birth? |
| ___ | Do you practice "toilet mapping" (being sure to know where every bathroom
is over the course of your daily travels)? |
For more information about incontinence, click here.
Created: 7/11/2002 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
