Bladder Health Awareness Month – Could Your Dad Have Problems He’s Hiding?

By Marlene Diaz | November 15, 2017 |

Sit down and talk to your dad about bladder health during Bladder Health Awareness in November. It’s an uncomfortable subject but a very important talk to have. According to the American Urological Association, about 16,000 people die from bladder cancer every year. Around 33 million men and women have an overactive bladder. Prevention and treatment start by knowing the symptoms.

Elderly Care Bellevue WA – Bladder Health Awareness Month – Could Your Dad Have Problems He’s Hiding?

Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder makes you suddenly have to urinate. About 30 percent of the diagnosed cases are in men. You can’t stop the urge and may leak some urine as you race to the bathroom. For the elderly, it can be a very embarrassing and common condition. There are prescription medications and some exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the bladder, too.

While the sudden urge to go to the bathroom is a key symptom, your dad may find himself needing to urinate at least every three hours. He may get up at least twice in the middle of the night. It’s important to see a doctor because urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and enlarged prostate, and diabetes can all be underlying conditions that may help trigger an overactive bladder.

Bladder Cancer

Men are more likely to get bladder cancer than women are. It’s often diagnosed between the ages of 75 and 84. Bladder cancer generally stars in the inner linings of the bladder and then passes through the other layers. Once it’s outside the bladder, it can spread to other organs. It’s important to catch it as early as possible.

The most common symptom is finding blood in the urine. It’s rare that you’ll feel pain, so you can’t tell without going to the doctor and having them look at your urine under a microscope. This is why it’s important for your dad to go for yearly checkups.

Other symptoms of bladder cancer include frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen and/or back. There are other health issues that can trigger those symptoms. Kidney stones, bruised kidneys, and urinary tract infections are other causes.

What Can You Do?

Make sure your dad talks to his doctor. Treatments are often very easy to handle. If it’s hard to get him to an appointment, a caregiver can help. While you might think of elderly care professionals handling things like cooking meals and helping with grooming and bathing, they also offer transportation services. Learn more by calling our elderly care agency.

Sources: http://www.auanet.org/advocacy/advocacy-by-topic/bladder-health
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/non-muscle-invasive-bladder-cancer
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/overactive-bladder-(oab)?article=112http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=112

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Bellevue WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.

Author
Recent Posts

Marlene Diaz

Care Supervisor at Hospitality Home Care

Marlene brings to Hospitality Home Care's Care Supervisor Team an unprecedented level of passion for caring for others and a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the care services field. Marlene has worked in the healthcare field for more than 15 years in a variety of settings including, adult family home administration, home care HR supervising and working with specialty populations including dementia, mental health and developmental disabilities. Throughout this time Marlene has also maintained her caregiver credentials that she obtained as a teenager because, while her knowledge is best served helping to train caregivers and assist families to get the care they need, her heart is most fulfilled when she is providing care to others. When she is not in the office, you will most likely find Marlene caring for her family, or spending time with her friends.