It's also expensive. The health-care impact is likely to increase as the baby boomers age. Fortunately, the outlook is improving. This new generation of patients is less willing to let shame and embarrassment silence them, some doctors say. And there are more treatment options than ever before, including two new devices FDA approved just last summer.
Treatment can improve the quality of life for millions of people.
Even if you only improve them some, even if you don't make them dry, they're still very grateful because they see a big difference in their lives. That's important because a variety of medical, emotional and social problems often accompany incontinence. Rashes, skin infections, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections are among the complications that can result from incontinence. More devastating are sleep disturbances, restricted social interactions, reduced sexual activity, loss of self-esteem, and depression. Employment may become difficult or impossible.