Overactive bladder syndrome in the older woman: conservative treatment.
Over active bladder syndrome (OAB) is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in the older population (Gadgil and Wagg, 2008). Many women do not seek medical help and advice as they consider it to be an inevitable part of ageing. It can have significant impact on sufferers' lives and can contribute to an increased risk of falls, reduced quality of life, social isolation and depression. It is also known to be hugely underreported as patients are often too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with members of their family or health professionals. OAB syndrome can however, be treated effectively in primary care with conservative, nurse-led treatments. This article will discuss the causes, implications, assessment and conservative treatments available to women over 65 years old presenting with OAB syndrome in primary care.
Stewart
Ellie
E
Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. ellie.stewart@gstt.nhs.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D015984:Causality; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014039:Toilet Training; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
D004967:Estrogens