Bladder Control News:

Debbie Reynolds Urges People to Seek Treatment for Overactive Bladder

Debbie Reynolds, famed Hollywood actress, is speaking out on her battle with overactive bladder, a condition affecting millions of Americans.

Reynolds is spokesperson for a consumer education campaign called Standing Ovations, designed to raise awareness of overactive bladder. She will share her own experience of living with the condition to encourage people to discuss their symptoms and seek appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

"I encourage anyone who thinks they may have overactive bladder to talk to their doctor because effective treatment is available," said Reynolds. "I suffered with the symptoms of overactive bladder for years, too embarrassed to talk with my physician. I want people to feel empowered to seek help."

Symptoms of overactive bladder include urinary frequency (urinating more than 8 times over a 24-hour period, including waking up to urinate two or more times at night), urgency and urinary urge incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine. Treatment for overactive bladder includes drug therapy, behavioral techniques and bladder training.

Source: Medical Week staff, week of April 28, 2002