The Incontinence Solution : Answers for Women of All Ages
Today, 20 to 25 million Americans endure difficulties in  controlling bladder function something vast numbers of them are  not willing to disclose. Most of those afflicted are women, and  they are not all elderly. There is a thus real and pressing need  for books like these, which address the issue of incontinence in  a compassionate manner and explain that most of these  individuals can be cured, many quite easily, without surgery. It  is also clear from both of these authoritative publications that  incontinence must be viewed as an important medical problem,  deserving the same attention as elevated blood pressure or an  endocrine disorder. Newman, a nurse who is codirector of the  Penn Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at the University  of Pennsylvania, previously wrote The Urinary Incontinence  Sourcebook for consumers. Aiming this new book at nurses, social  workers, and other healthcare professionals, she is strongly  pragmatic, covering a long list of topics, from causes of  incontinence to evaluation and therapy. There is also a chapter  on self-care practices that will minimize urinary symptoms. The  appendixes consist of tools for health professionals that can be  used to train staff and educate patients; included are sections  on how to prevent bladder infections, diet habits that can  affect your bladder, bladder retraining, and other topics  relating to mechanical devices used to reduce incontinence. The  book is well referenced and includes a glossary as well as  appendixes with useful ancillary information, e.g., a directory  of manufacturers of products that aid in treating incontinence. In The Incontinence Solution, gynecologist Parker and his  coauthors (a gynecologist and a health educator) also provide a  comprehensive and reassuring approach to incontinence, but the  advice is intended primarily for consumers/patients. The  question-and-answer format allows for easy reading and reference  and, after an initial discussion of causes and diagnosis,  focuses on the wide range of available treatments for  incontinence. Specific chapters also address childbirth and  incontinence, interstitial cystitis, and defining and diagnosing  prolapse. Anecdotal reports of patients' experiences add  interest and information. Also provided is a section on finding  the right doctor. While both titles provide extensive coverage  of the topic, Newman's is the more scholarly and is highly  recommended for health sciences libraries and for large public  libraries. For its readability, Parker's book is suggested for  all consumer health collections. Linda M.G. Katz, MCP Hahnemann  Univ. Libs., PhiladelphiaCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.