Wednesday, June 25, 2003

The biggest golf handicap for older men

Whether it's golf, tennis, or just a walk on the beach, urine control can be a real problem for older men who want to lead active lives.

More than 12 million adults in the United States are incontinent approximately 4 million are men. The inability to control urine, or incontinence, can be caused by a variety of conditions including prostate cancer, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, stroke and spinal cord injury.

Whatever the cause, urinary incontinence greatly limits a person's ability to enjoy a normal life. And until recently, men with the condition have had few options for managing it. Solutions such as absorbent briefs lead to rashes and infections, and are extremely uncomfortable. A variety of internal and external catheters are available, but these can cause injuries. The external units tend to pop-off, especially among active men.

"Many of the methods for urine control are outdated," said Dennis Kay, M.D. of Bioderm, Inc. a medical products company. "We wanted to find a better option."

The new Bioderm External Continence Device provides an innovative way for men to handle incontinence. Selected by NASA for use in manned spaceflight missions, the device is completely non-invasive and eliminates many of the problems associated with other remedies. A skin-friendly hydrocolloid wafer (hypoallergenic and latex-free) gently seals to the tip of the penis and directs urine into a collection bag on the leg.

"The ECD allows the user to participate in sports or live an active life," said Kay.

The discreet device is convenient and comfortable, sealing only to the skin around the urinary opening. Those who can benefit from using the ECD include men who have leaking urine, and those who need help controlling urine when a bathroom is not available.

Check with your doctor to find out if the ECD can work for you. A prescription is not needed. For more information, contact BioDerm at (800) 373-7006 or visit www.BioDerm-Inc.com.