Not shy of urinary incontinence anymore

Apollo Hospitals, Hyderguda, organised a walk 'Let’s Talk About Incontinence' to raise awareness about urinary incontinence, from Public Gardens to Apollo Hospitals on Sunday.

Amit Garg; Dr Sanjay Sinha, Consultant Urologist & Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderguda; Dr Sanjeev Singh Yadav, President, IMA - Hyderabad; Subramaniam, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; Amita Desai, Founding Director, Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad and Chandrashekar, President, Rotary Club - Hyderabad Central, participated in the walk. Patients, doctors and volunteers also joined.

A few heroic patients who battled immense odds were felicitated on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Garg said, “I have known of walks to raise awareness mostly on heart problems, diabetes, but good to see a walk being organised for an ailment that people shy away to discuss or speak in a hush-hush tone. It was also deeply touching to felicitate such brave individuals who came out and faced the challenge; they are the real role models.”

“There is a stigma associated with urinary incontinence. People don't share the problem they are enduring, especially those from the rural areas due to embarrassment. We need to address the issue to overcome it; otherwise it can be fatal in the long run,” he warned.

According to Dr Sinha, “Urinary incontinence is perceived as a social stigma, and the patients don't come forward to seek treatment for a long period, by when it could be difficult to treat. The elders who suffer from it, in their rush to go to washroom to relieve would trip and end up with fracture and serious consequences.”

“Though it's easy to treat, delay in seeking treatment can have serious consequences. Especially patients with nerve related bladder problem can end up with kidney failure,” he said. ‘If you have urinary incontinence problem you should come out, speak up and seek medical attention,’ was the message delivered on the occasion.