Author Description

Product Description Whether sitting on an airplane, attending a business meeting, or just gardening in the yard, the sudden or urgent need to get to a bathroom is a distressing and all-too-frequent disruption in the lives of millions of people. Bladder or bowel incontinence is surprisingly common. It has a number of causes including the complications of surgery, childbirth, or injury. These and other causes can interfere with the muscles, nerves, and other tissues that work together for urinary and rectal function. Middle aged and older people are particularly susceptible to these conditions. But there are a variety of treatments available including exercise programs, medications and surgery. This Special Health Report, Better Bladder and Bowel Control, describes the causes of urinary and bowel incontinence and treatments tailored to the specific cause. About the Author Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and Urogynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital Instructor in Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Instructor of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital