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Stress Incontinence Typically occurs during physical activity, such as coughing or lifting an object. Vaginal deliveries, prior surgeries,
obesity and family history are risk factors.Urge Incontinence Also called an overactive bladder. Triggered by muscle spasms in the urinary tract, creating a sense of urgency to run to the bathroom.Mixed Incontinence A combination of both stress and urge incontinence. Requires multi-faceted approach for successful treatment.Grow With the Flow
Festus resident says don't suffer in silence
Cindy Vaugh, a Festus resident and registered nurse, has worked in health care most of her life. Yet, after the first signs of incontinence, she suffered in silence. Finally, she sought treatment at St. Anthony’s; and, since then, she has not experienced any leakage.
"It was embarrassing. I couldn't even tell my husband." Cindy Vaugh shakes her head. More than a decade ago, Vaugh, from Festus, was a busy mother in her mid-30s when she noticed the first symptoms of incontinence.
“I started leaking whenever I laughed or reached for a gallon of milk,” she says. “I didn’t think anyone my age had this problem and I sure didn’t want to talk about it.”
Vaugh, a registered nurse and current member of the board of directors for the Jefferson County Health Department and the Joachim Plattin Ambulance District, says she surprised herself by being secretive. “I’ve been in health care for most of my life and I didn’t want to tell someone until it was almost overwhelming,” says Vaugh.
She suffered in silence for years, minimizing strenuous activities and taking frequent bathroom breaks, and then wearing pads to absorb leakage. Over time, the problem steadily grew.
She’s not alone. More than 13 million people in the United States—both men and women—have incontinence, defined as the loss of bladder or bowel control. Although it’s more common in the elderly, incontinence can develop at any age.
In 2000, Vaugh finally went to a local doctor. Initially, she learned exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. That was followed by surgery to place a sling around the urethra to help stop her leakage.
“I still leaked, even after the surgery,” Vaugh says. “It was so frustrating. I thought I had to live with this the rest of my life.”
But then she sought treatment from a St. Anthony’s urogynecologist, an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the care of women with pelvic floor disorders.
“She told me the reason I was still leaking was because all of my problems weren’t taken care of the first time,” says Vaugh, who was diagnosed with mixed incontinence, a combination of stress and urge incontinence. “I went for surgery again this year; and, since then, I’ve had no leakage at all. The change is like night and day. I am much more physically active and confident, and I can laugh without having to worry.
“I’m telling my story so I can encourage others to find a specialist. Don’t be silent. Get it taken care of so you can get your life back.”
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.
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