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Witty Specialist Assures Women Incontinence No Laughing Matter

Posted on: Monday, 23 May 2005, 12:01 CDT

By HEIDI F. GREENE

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

Dr. Bunan Alnaif says urinary incontinence affects 15 million women, yet few want to discuss it.

Because of social stigma, its heavily underreported. Most women, the Chesapeake resident says, wont even tell their doctors.

It is a normal part of aging that wont go away, according to the obstetrician/gynecologist, especially for women whose bladder has endured the pressure of pregnancy.

Pat Peterson reluctantly agreed to chat about the subject after Alnaifs Dont Make Me Laugh, Cough or Sneeze presentation recently at Bon Secours Hampton Roads Harbour View health center.

The program covered the types, causes and treatment options for incontinence, and was part of Bon Secours In The Spirit of Women Seminar Series.

Peterson animatedly talked about Social Security, politics and possible male physicians bias concerning womens health issues, but fell silent about incontinence. She said women in their 60s, like her, simply refuse to talk about leaky bladders.

I know its a problem. But nobody I mean nobody will talk about it, the Portsmouth resident said.

Most of us got it because we had kids. I think women believe nothing can be done, but we dont know what the doctors know now.

Nor is it a joking matter, Alnaif said. But her quick wit and humor, peppered with a slight French accent, had the more than 70 women in attendance giggling.

The old cross your legs and hope for the best when laughing or sneezing isnt necessary anymore, she said.

Urinary incontinence can affect women at any age and often easily be improved or cured. Only 20 percent of cases require surgery. Treatment is generally done through the use of medication.

Problems range from total incontinence, to overactive bladder, to stress urges such as coughing, laughing and sneezing.

Alnaif said incontinence causes untold psychological damage when women socially isolate themselves and avoid sexual relationships, and financial damage when they avoid work or have to buy protective gear and new clothes.

Many women, she said, develop defensive coping strategies such as unwisely constantly voiding urine or know where every bathroom in town is located. .

Besides medicine, women can make their bladders healthier by lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight and avoiding foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol, citrus and carbonated beverages.

But most importantly, she said, are kegel exercises, which involve the rhythmic clenching and unclenching of the pelvic floor muscles. Kegels are your friends, you can do them anywhere and nobody will know, Alnaif said, grinning. Do it well. Do it often.

Alnaif, a native of Quebec, specializes in urogynecology and reconstructive surgery. She moved to Hampton Roads almost six years ago to join the Eastern Virginia Medical School faculty.

In 2000, she opened the Western Branch Center for Women. Alnaif, her husband and three children live in Chesapeake.

* Dr. Alnaif can be reached at the Western Branch Center for Women, (757) 484-7200.

* Reach Heidi Greene at (757) 222-5150 or HurricaneWarren@aol.com

Source: Virginian - Pilot

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