The Nurse's Corner - Bladder Health Month

Each month I highlight a health topic in the news­letter. Feel free to suggest health con­cerns that you would like to see added in future months.

Blessings,
Carol Savoie R.N.

Bladder Health Month

Key Bladder Facts

· It's normal to go to the bathroom 4 to 8 times a day and no more than twice a night.

· The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ, and is made mostly of muscle.

· When the bladder is empty it looks like a deflated balloon. The shape of a bladder changes when it fills up.

· Urine is produced in the kidneys. It flows through tubes called ureters into the bladder.

· The bladder muscle helps you urinate by squeezing to force the urine out.

· Women have shorter urethras than men. Women are more likely to get a bladder infection as bacteria from outside the body can get into the urinary system easier.

· On average, the bladder holds about 2 cups of urine (about 16 ounces).

Bladder Health Tips

· Drink plenty of water. Strive to drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day.

· Cut down on the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink - these may upset your bladder. Limit your intake of coffee, tea or cola as these can heighten bladder activity and lead to leakage.

· Women should sit to go to the toilet - they should not hover over the toilet seat.

· Take your time when on the toilet so that your bladder can empty - if you rush, and do not empty your bladder fully, over time, you could get a bladder infection.

· Stay away from foods that bother the bladder. Some foods can worsen incontinence. Skip foods like chocolate (also a source of caffeine), as well as spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.

· Keep your pelvic floor muscles strong with pelvic floor muscle training.

· Stop smoking. It is of great value to stop smoking for your bladder health - using tobacco is a major cause of bladder cancer.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Adults?

A UTI is when bacteria gets into your urine and travels up to your bladder. UTIs cause more than 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year. About 10 in 25 women and 3 in 25 men will have symptoms of at least 1 UTI during their lifetime.

How Does the Urinary Tract Work?

The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the waste products of your body. Urine is made in the kidneys and travels down the ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores the urine until it is emptied through the urethra, a tube that connects the bladder to the skin, when you urinate. The opening of the urethra is at the end of the penis in a male and in front of the vagina in a female.

The kidneys are a pair of fist-sized organs in the back that filter liquid waste from the blood and remove it from the body in the form of urine. Kidneys balance the levels of many chemicals in the body (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and others) and check the blood's acidity. Certain hormones are also made in the kidneys. These hormones help control blood pressure, boost red blood cell production and help make strong bones. Normal urine has no bacteria in it, and the one-way flow helps prevent infections. Still, bacteria may get into the urine from the urethra and travel up into the bladder.

What is Bladder Cancer?

Cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the body. These extra cells grow together and form masses called tumors. In bladder cancer, these tumors form in the bladder. The bladder is where urine (liquid waste made by the kidneys) is stored in the body. In 2016, more than 77,000 Americans will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Men are almost 4 times more likely than women to be diagnosed. About 16,000 Americans will die of bladder cancer this year. Over time, doctors have made progress with better treatments, and more people survive.

What is Neurogenic Bladder?

Millions of Americans have neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder is the name given to a number of urinary conditions in people who lack bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord or nerve problem. This nerve damage can be the result of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease or diabetes. It can also be caused by infection of the brain or spinal cord, heavy metal poisoning, stroke, spinal cord injury, or major pelvic surgery. People who are born with problems of the spinal cord, such as spina bifida, may also have this type of bladder problem. Nerves in the body control how the bladder stores or empties urine, and problems with these nerves cause overactive bladder (OAB), incontinence, and underactive bladder (UAB) or obstructive bladder, in which the flow of urine is blocked.

Information obtained from www.urologyhealth.org

from November 2016 newsletter 

Mosquitoes of Arizona

Health officials throughout Arizona have been monitoring mosquito-borne virus activity for decades. Mosquito surveillance involves trapping mosquitoes, counting them, identifying the species, and testing the appropriate mosquito species for viruses. These surveillance methods are used to better identify areas where mosquito control efforts are needed. Detection and control of mosquito breeding sites depends upon integrated efforts among state, county, and tribal agencies, as well as private citizens. Mosquito-borne viruses are found every year in Arizona, West Nile virus being the most common. Mosquito-borne virus activity is usually most prevalent from May through October when mosquitoes are most abundant. Arizona has expanded its longstanding mosquito-borne virus surveillance network to detect, monitor and control mosquito-borne diseases such as St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and West Nile virus (WNV).

Every month from March through October over 300 samples of mosquitoes are collected by health officials throughout Arizona and tested for West Nile Virus (WNV) at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, with many more local vector control departments conducting their own WNV testing. Dead birds and horses are tested for WNV at the University of Arizona's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Reporting of mosquito-borne diseases in humans and horses by physicians and veterinarians, is critical for detecting and responding to WNV statewide. This surveillance data allows public health officials to identify communities at higher risk for mosquito-borne disease transmission, so appropriate measures can be taken to reduce risk.

Starting in 2013 chikungunya virus expanded into the Western hemisphere causing a widespread outbreak throughout the Americas. Meanwhile, dengue virus has had an increased incidence and geographic expansion throughout the region. In light of these developments there is an ongoing effort to conduct surveillance and control for their mosquito vectors. Although there have been no locally acquired cases of chikungunya or dengue identified in Arizona, the presence of the vector species increases the risk for locally acquired cases to occur.

Protection from Mosquitoes

There are very few mosquito-borne diseases that have vaccines approved for human use. Therefore, the most effective way to protect your self is with protection from the mosquitoes themselves. Luckily, there are a number of simple measures that will help protect you, your family, and your home. They can be divided into two categories; interventions that provide personal protection from mosquitoes, and interventions that protect your home.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes include:

Wearing insect repellent when outdoors and at all times of day. Be sure to apply it according to the package instructions, and always apply after sunscreen. If you choose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed. Wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at all times a day, when possible.

The most effective ways to protect your home from mosquitoes includes the following:

Always use air conditioning over leaving the windows and doors open. If you do chose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed.

Keep your yard clean and clear from debris, which reduces the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Make sure to dump or cover all water holding containers regularly. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in almost any standing water. If you have any standing water that can’t be dumped, such as pools, ponds, etc., be sure to treat those with the appropriate chemicals. This will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs on your property.

Prevent Bites

Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain at least 20% DEET (products include Cutter Backwoods and Off! Deep Woods). Other repellents protect against mosquitoes but may not be effective against ticks or other bugs.

Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin); products include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD); products include Repel Lemon Eucalyptus IR3535; products include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart.

Find the EPA-registered insect repellent that is right for you. The effectiveness of insect repellents that are not registered with the EPA, including some natural repellents, is not known.

*Insect repellent brand names are provided for your information only. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health and Human Services cannot recommend or endorse any name-brand products. 

When using insect repellent, follow the instructions on the package and reapply as directed:

·   In general, higher percentages of the active ingredient provide longer-lasting protection.

·   If you are also using sunscreen, apply it first, let it dry, and then apply repellent. Do not use products that contain both sunscreen and repellent.

·   Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

· Consider using clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) that are treated with permethrin (an insecticide). You can buy pre-treated clothes or treat your own clothes. If treating items yourself, follow instructions carefully. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

Cover Exposed Skin

As much as possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and a hat. Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks for maximum protection.

Information obtained from:  www.cdc.gov and www.azdhs.gov