BLADDER HEALTH BLOG
LATEST POSTS
Understanding IBD: From Diagnosis to Remission… What You Need to Know – Copy
In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Ryan O’Leary, advanced fellow in inflammatory bowel disease, for a deep dive into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dr. O’Leary breaks down what sets Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis apart from other digestive conditions, explaining how IBD can affect patients at any age, from early childhood to later adulthood, and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. He explores the complexity of inflammation, the role of the immune system and how IBD can impact far more than the gut, including joints, skin, eyes and mental health.
The conversation also covers realistic treatment goals, the expanding range of medications available today, dietary considerations, when surgery becomes part of care and why personalized treatment plans are essential. Importantly, Dr. O’Leary addresses the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition and emphasizes the importance of persistence, advocacy and specialist care.
If you or a loved one is navigating unexplained GI symptoms or an IBD diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, reassurance and a hopeful look at what’s possible with modern care.
Learn more about a wide range of bowel conditions and get free resources here.
No One Believed Me: One Man’s Fight for a Crohn’s Diagnosis – and Recovery
In this gripping episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with John, a law enforcement officer, father of two and competitive strongman, about his harrowing journey to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis.
From Pain ‘Like Lava’ to Remission: Living Fully with Crohn’s Disease
In this moving patient story, we speak with Gerri, a Crohn’s patient, about her journey from debilitating digestive symptoms to complete remission.
Gerri shares what it was like to live in New York City while navigating relentless urgency, severe abdominal pain she describes as “hot lava,” and the constant need to locate the nearest restroom. After months of worsening symptoms and a turning point moment with her mom, she sought specialist care, leading to bloodwork, testing, colonoscopy and, ultimately, a diagnosis.
FEATURED
Managing Overnight Incontinence for a Better Night’s Sleep
A good night’s sleep plays an important role in maintaining overall health, comfort, and emotional well-being. For individuals managing incontinence, nighttime can sometimes feel uncertain. Overnight leaks may interrupt sleep, create concern about bedding or clothing, and make mornings feel more stressful than restful. These experiences are common, and they are something many adults navigate at different stages of life.
Incontinence & Intimacy: Reconnecting After Bladder Leaks
For many people, sex and intimacy is about far more than physical closeness. It’s about confidence, connection, vulnerability, and feeling comfortable in your own body.
When urinary incontinence enters the picture, those feelings can quietly change.
While often discussed as a physical condition, incontinence can deeply affect emotional well-being and romantic relationships, something many people experience but few talk about openly.
The Financial Impact of Incontinence: Costs You May Not See
Incontinence is often discussed in terms of symptoms and quality of life but for many people, it also brings a steady (and sometimes surprising) financial burden. Beyond the obvious cost of pads, protective underwear, and skin-care products, there can be added expenses from laundry, missed work, caregiving needs, and medical visits. The good news: understanding where the costs come from is the first step toward reducing them—and getting the right treatment can be a cost-saver, not just a health improvement.
MOST POPULAR
Incontinence & Intimacy: Reconnecting After Bladder Leaks
For many people, sex and intimacy is about far more than physical closeness. It’s about confidence, connection, vulnerability, and feeling comfortable in your own body.
When urinary incontinence enters the picture, those feelings can quietly change.
While often discussed as a physical condition, incontinence can deeply affect emotional well-being and romantic relationships, something many people experience but few talk about openly.
The Financial Impact of Incontinence: Costs You May Not See
Incontinence is often discussed in terms of symptoms and quality of life but for many people, it also brings a steady (and sometimes surprising) financial burden. Beyond the obvious cost of pads, protective underwear, and skin-care products, there can be added expenses from laundry, missed work, caregiving needs, and medical visits. The good news: understanding where the costs come from is the first step toward reducing them—and getting the right treatment can be a cost-saver, not just a health improvement.
Speaking Up About Incontinence
For many people living with bladder leaks, the hardest part isn’t the symptoms themselves.
It’s deciding to talk about them.
Bladder leaks can feel too small to mention, too embarrassing to explain, or not “serious enough” to justify a doctor’s visit. Many people quietly manage symptoms for years—adjusting their routines, limiting activities, and hoping things don’t get worse.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for feeling this way.
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Understanding IBD: From Diagnosis to Remission… What You Need to Know – Copy
In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Ryan O’Leary, advanced fellow in inflammatory bowel disease, for a deep dive into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dr. O’Leary breaks down what sets Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis apart from other digestive conditions, explaining how IBD can affect patients at any age, from early childhood to later adulthood, and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. He explores the complexity of inflammation, the role of the immune system and how IBD can impact far more than the gut, including joints, skin, eyes and mental health.
The conversation also covers realistic treatment goals, the expanding range of medications available today, dietary considerations, when surgery becomes part of care and why personalized treatment plans are essential. Importantly, Dr. O’Leary addresses the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition and emphasizes the importance of persistence, advocacy and specialist care.
If you or a loved one is navigating unexplained GI symptoms or an IBD diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, reassurance and a hopeful look at what’s possible with modern care.
Learn more about a wide range of bowel conditions and get free resources here.
No One Believed Me: One Man’s Fight for a Crohn’s Diagnosis – and Recovery
In this gripping episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with John, a law enforcement officer, father of two and competitive strongman, about his harrowing journey to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis.
From Pain ‘Like Lava’ to Remission: Living Fully with Crohn’s Disease
In this moving patient story, we speak with Gerri, a Crohn’s patient, about her journey from debilitating digestive symptoms to complete remission.
Gerri shares what it was like to live in New York City while navigating relentless urgency, severe abdominal pain she describes as “hot lava,” and the constant need to locate the nearest restroom. After months of worsening symptoms and a turning point moment with her mom, she sought specialist care, leading to bloodwork, testing, colonoscopy and, ultimately, a diagnosis.
