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Urinary stress incontinence
I suffer from urinary stress incontinence which is no joke when I have to run or try doing any form of exercise. I am sure lots of women suffer in secret from this embarrassing condition. Can you suggest anything that could help?
Stress incontinence (unlike incontinence) is defined as a state in which someone experiences the involuntary loss of urine less than 50ml and triggered by increased abdominal pressure caused by coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting and, clearly in your case, exercising.
For most older women suffering, this is usually the result of age-related degenerative changes in both the pelvic muscles and supporting structural tissues although obesity can also increase the risk as can other conditions, including cystitis. Prescription medicines, alcohol and caffeine can also be to blame for increasing the frequency of stress incontinence so if relevant to you, you may want to consider cutting back your intake.
The key herbal remedy for stress incontinence is galeopsis (pronounced gal-ee-OP-sis) or hemp nettle which is also used to help alleviate asthma and other respiratory infections. This herb contains high levels of both silica, which is critical for tissue regeneration, and tannins. The latter have a more astringent action and it is this property that is believed to help 'tone' tissues that have degenerated and lost elasticity.
The UK herbal specialists, Bioforce, make a galeopsis tincture which is widely on sale in independent healthstores. If you prefer to use mail or internet ordering, it costs £7.99 for a 50ml bottle of tincture direct from the maker (01294 277344) and you simply take 15 drops mixed in a little water three times a day before eating. The same company also makes a good coffee substitute called Bambu which is made from organic chicory combined with figs, cereals and acorns to the original recope of the late Swiss nature doctor and founder of the company, Alfred Vogel.100g costs £3.19. Mail order as before.