Ease Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence Through Weight Loss

It has been revealed by researchers that weight loss in women who are overweight and obese could significantly ease the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

If women who are over weight or obese lose just 17 pounds in a six-month program of exercise and diet, they can reduce the number of incontinence moments during the week by up to 48 percent, as stated in a report by Leslee L. Subak, M.D., of the University of California San Francisco, and her colleagues in the Jan. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

It was shown in the results of the study that reducing weight has a profound effect against stress incontinence in the trial. It was also shown to be just as effective as pelvic muscle exercise said Doctor Subak.

She said: "These findings may help motivate incontinent patients to overcome the common fear of episodes occurring during exercise."

"You may have increased episodes of urinary incontinence with physical activity. However, we see that women who have more activity actually have improvement in their incontinence. So stick with it." Doctor Subak continued.

In the 'Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise' (PRIDE) study, it included 338 overweight and obese women which had at least ten urinary incontinence episodes per week (average 24).

Women who took part in the program where split into random programs.

Women in the research program went in four groups of classes on the benefits of exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss.These included a reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and behavior modification for six months.

I found that the abstract of the results were interesting and had definitely shown what behavioral change and dieting can achieve if a person is motivated to work on improving there health. Thus proving that dieting has benefits that far out way just trying to look and feel consciously better. Medically you are going to feel better also.

Read the abstract here.

Doctor Subak said that from the program there was an average of 8 percent weight loss, and that this figure was "achievable."

The researchers from the program said that the reasoning behind the effects of weight loss could be because of a reduction in pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor.

The researchers concluded: "Our results suggest that a decrease in urinary incontinence may be another benefit among the health improvements associated with moderate weight loss and support consideration of weight reduction as a first-line treatment for overweight and obese women with incontinence."

Doctor Subak suggested that women may feel motivated to loss weight if it improved incontinence that is blighting their lives, rather than to prevent cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

I feel that this may be because of the social ramifications that are restricted for women who suffer from incontinence.

Doctor Subak said: "What I've seen anecdotally in my clinic is women coming in saying 'I'm going to try to lose weight because my daughter is getting married this summer and I want to be dry for her wedding,' but rarely do I hear someone say 'I want to lose weight because I want my blood pressure to be better.'"

I feel that if women who are overweight or obese and suffer from incontinence, and know that weight loss will ease there suffering on a daily basis then definitely they should go to see their Doctor to work out a dietary plan.

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine.