WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – John J. Smith, M.D., professor of urology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, will present a free talk on the latest treatments for urinary incontinence from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Cornerstone Baptist Church.
The event, at 4507 Thomasville Road, N.C. Highway 109, is open to the public.
Smith is co-director of the Department of Urology’s Continence Center.
Urinary incontinence affects about 20 percent of women over age 40 and nearly 30 percent of elderly people active in the community. One percent to 30 percent of men are affected following prostate surgery. Incontinence can result in loss of self-esteem and in some people, anxiety and depression.
In women, incontinence is usually due to loss of bladder support resulting from multiple childbirths, aging, obesity or lack of estrogen. Men often suffer from stress incontinence following prostate surgery. Neurologic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, also can result in bladder disorders.
About 80 percent of people with bladder control problems can be helped or cured. Treatments can include changes in bladder habits, medications, injections of botulinum toxin, a pacemaker for the bladder and surgery to support the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder to outside the body.
For more information about the talk, call Evelyn Hord at 336-769-0887.
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Media Relations Contacts: Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wfubmc.edu or Shannon Koontz, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu, at 336-716-4587.