Revitalize Physical Therapy Blog - Page 20 of 54

In honor of January being Thyroid Awareness Month, I have decided to share information about hypothyroidism, a condition which involves decreased production of the thyroid gland hormones. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped structure in the front of the neck that is responsible for the production of two important hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones control the body’s metabolism.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Signs and symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include fatigue, difficulty losing weight, increased sensitivity to cold, puffy face, muscle weakness, elevated cholesterol, constipation, dry skin, depression, and impaired memory. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can result in other medical issues, including obesity, infertility, heart disease, and joint pain.

Hypothyroidism affects approximately 40 million Americans, and 90% of those individuals are women. This includes teenage women and younger females. It is estimated that one in eight women can expect to develop hypothyroidism at some point in her life.

Like endometriosis, many women are misdiagnosed for years until an accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made. Too many women have discussed the symptoms they experience with their doctors, and they were dismissed with an anti-depressant, yoga, or told to exercise to reduce stress. The condition is manageable with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, but treatment is not possible without an accurate diagnosis. You know your body best. If something feels off and medical advice is not sitting well with you, get a second opinion. You have every right to request a full thyroid workup and for your symptoms to be taken seriously.

A recent poll about female bladder control confirmed a very saddening fact- too many women are suffering in silence. The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, in conjunction with AARP, conducted the national poll under the direction of Dr. Preeti Malani, a professor at the university with a specialization in geriatric medicine. Over 1,000 women between the ages of fifty and eighty responded to the survey. Some of the most disturbing statistics that emerged from the poll are as follows:

Almost 50% of women in the targeted age bracket experience urinary incontinence
Of these women, approximately 33% experience symptoms almost every day
According to respondents, the most common triggers associated with leakage were coughing or sneezing (79%), while en route to the bathroom (64%), laughing (49%), and exercising (37%)
Approximately 66% of these women have not discussed this with their physicians
41% of women experiencing urinary incontinence reported that this issue is either a “major problem” or “somewhat of a problem”
Only 38% of poll respondents participate in a pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise program

We live in society where marketing and misinformation has conditioned many to believe that urinary incontinence is simply par for the aging course. Adult diaper products and advertisements bombard us in our pharmacies and on television, and this subtly communicates the message that incontinence is inescapable. Too many women have been trained to believe that urinary incontinence is a normal part of the aging process. While continence may prove to be more challenging as one gets older due to physiological and hormonal changes, it is not inevitable.

Pelvic floor muscle strengthening, or uptraining, is an evidenced based approach for improving continence. Women who experience urinary incontinence should discuss these symptoms with their doctors and request prescriptions for pelvic floor physical therapy. Obviously, this is a sensitive and delicate topic, and it is understandable that women may feel awkward initiating a conversation of this nature. However, it’s probably even more uncomfortable and depressing to resign oneself to a fate of eternal leaking.

If you or someone you know stands to benefit from a pelvic floor uptraining program, please contact us at Revitalize Physical Therapy. We specialize in treating men, women, and children experiencing urinary incontinence, and we can offer you a personalized treatment plan and home exercise program. We look forward to helping you along your healing journey!