Guide to Incontinence

eBook version Edited by Mr Nikesh Thiruchelvam, MD, FRCS (Urol), FEBUConsultant Urological Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Addenbrookes Hospital with contributions from: Mr Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, MD MSc, Registrar in Urology, Mr Rizwan Hamid, FRCS (Urol), Consultant Urological Surgeon, Mrs Helen Hegarty, COnsultants Urological SurgeonMs Sheilagh Reid, Consultant Urological Surgeon Mrs Helen Hegarty, Consultant Urological Surgeon Urinary incontinence is a common and embarrassing problem being far more widespread than most think; it remains underreported by the public. Urinary incontinence can lead to social isolation, depression and infections and has a significant negative impact on patients and society. Many people think it is inevitable and do not seek advice and treatment. This book intends to define the problems and causes of incontinence, highlight some of the simple successful conservative measures that can help with managing incontinence and clarify some of the confusing array of surgical treatments available.There is also a focused chapter dealing with incontinence in the elderly and a description of collaborative working with multidisciplinary team efforts by healthcare professionals in the community and in hospitals to help identify and treat these patients in a suitable environment. Repetition has been used purposely in this book to highlight important definitions and principles. In some areas, the opinion that is offered is that of the authors. A Guide To Incontinence aims to summarise all these aspects of incontinence in a comprehensible format with minimal references. We hope that this will help patients and primary and secondary healthcare givers understand, seek and provide appropriate and up-to-date management.