Incontinence... the silent affliction

(Published on 27 March 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

The objective of writing this column is not just about making smart-alecky retorts, cocky observations and smug comments… it’s about sharing and learning from each other. This week I have chosen to write on – incontinence. People who have elderly members at home will understand and know what this is all about.

Incontinence refers to the loss of normal control of the bladder or the bowels. Urinary incontinence is more common especially amongst the aged. A person having urinary incontinence cannot hold the urine for long and has sporadic trickling. In extreme cases even an action like sneezing could result in an accident. In other words, incontinence is the involuntary flow of urine. We all know that the loss of bladder control is perceived as socially unacceptable and is a cause for great embarrassment. People affected with this problem feel ashamed and depressed. Incontinence is also referred to as "the silent affliction" as most often the patients suffer in silence trying to cope with the problem all on their own. Other impacts of incontinence include social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

Incontinence can result from damage to the muscle, including sphincters, nerves, or the part of the body involved to store and release waste. Several types of cancer and its treatments are also associated with this ailment. Incontinence can be successfully treated, and people suffering from this problem should seek medical advice. The method of treatment depends on the cause. A surgical solution is sought in extreme cases. Placement of an artificial sphincter has also given successful results. In most cases, treatment may include medications, dietary changes, muscle-strengthening exercises, or behavioural training, which involves bladder training and requires regular and monitored visits to the rest room. As a precaution some people suffering from this problem resort to wearing adult diapers.

Patients are also advised to do regular pelvic exercises (Kegel’s exercises) in order to correct the problem. However it is advised that even those not suffering with urinary incontinence do these exercises regularly. Just as one would lift weights to tone one’s muscles, it is important to keep the pelvic muscles strengthened and in good shape. Doing Kegel’s exercise regularly will keep the pelvic floor muscles toned and help reduce the risk of incontinence as one gets older. The pelvic floor muscles need to be contracted repeatedly. Usually 10 minutes of doing so daily would be good enough. These exercises can be done anywhere and any time. It is usually best to begin when lying. Later these exercises can also be done either sitting on a chair or even while standing.

A befitting way to close an article on such a serious topic would be to quote Andy Rooney: "The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person." One should never stop learning from the elders in the family. It’s only a question of time when one will fill their shoes.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Why does mineral water have an expiry date?

(Published on 20 March 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Went to spend the day with my Aunt, sweeties. It does really take a lot of persuasion and goading on my mother’s part to get me to visit her. She has an answer for everything – and will pull out an encyclopaedia published in 1935 to quote her facts! I thought I’d gift her, a new set of Britannica Encyclopaedias but that would mean more arguments and more conflicting opinions.

As I helped her make tea I noticed quite a few mineral water bottles lying on her kitchen shelf. You have to use those up I advised as they too have an expiry date. She looked in disbelief. “Water… has an expiry date? Isn't the water we drink everyday about three billion years old? It hasn't hurt us yet has it?” I let that pass but decided to do a little research on my own.

About 70% of the earth is covered with water. But most of it is unavailable for human consumption unless it is processed first. Water contains various minerals - some good and others not so good for our health. Mineral water, as the name suggests, contains various minerals and traces of elements. It is usually measured as the residue left when a litre of water is evaporated.

It is believed that the minerals in mineral water have various effects on the health of a person. However, apart from the obvious function of providing clean and pure water to the body, studies have shown that there is no significant effect of mineral water on the health. Mineral waters do contain minerals, but the ability of the body to absorb them from the water is as good as negligible.

Still mineral water normally bears an expiry date. However, it does not mean the product is sub-standard after this date. Over a period of time, the composition of mineral water, changes. Usually, this change is not much. But even then it is essential that the consumer be informed that the composition of water, in other words the percentage of minerals in the water has changed in comparison to that specified on the label. The expiry date on the bottle denotes this time – when changes are likely to take place. Government agencies, like the Chief Food Authority (CFA), The Food Control Administration Unit of the Health Ministry and the Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) regulate the quality of bottled mineral water and have stringent regulations in place to monitor what is available in the market.

Sparkling water on the other hand has a limited shelf life, due to the carbon dioxide. PH indicates water acidity level. PH value between 6.5 and 7.5 is considered neutral. Mineral water should be as neutral as possible. Adding CO2 to water increases its acidity. Carbon dioxide in sparkling water slowly dissipates through the walls of the plastic container and the plastic caps. Sparkling water in glass bottles with metal closures has a much longer shelf life.

Even though mineral water, way past its expiry date would still be a better option to consume than regular tap water - I have begun to check the label before I buy a bottle. I am looking forward, to visiting my Aunt once again to share with her my new found knowledge. Also wanted to leave her with some needling questions that I came across:
If someone invented instant water what would they mix it with?
Where do they get Spring water in the other three seasons?
If pure water is so good for you, how come you never see any fish in it?

Will keep her busy and out of people’s way for a couple of days.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

The relevance of celebrating International Women's Day

(Published on 6 March 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Each year 8 March is observed as International Women's Day. As always women's groups around the world irrespective of their nationalities, economic and political differences and their ethnic and cultural backgrounds come together to commemorate their day. I have been invited to an august gathering this coming 8 March where celebrity women achievers from different walks of life will voice their opinion about equality, justice, peace and development. But the International Women’s Day is not just about the few that have a voice and have gathered for a symposium. It’s about the ordinary woman on the street. Celebrating International Women’s Day is about empowering that ‘ordinary woman’ and about understanding the meaning of words like equality and suffrage.

For centuries women had been taught that, for them, the earth is flat, and that if they venture out, they would fall off the edge. But the turn of the century brought with it, a new wind of change. The first ever National Woman's Day was observed across the United States on 28 February 1909. Soon after, it was unanimously decided to establish a Women's Day to honour the movement for women's rights and to achieve universal suffrage for women. As a result, International Women's Day was marked for the first time on 19 March 1911 in Austria, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland. Besides the right to vote and to hold public office, women demanded equality with emphasis on the right to work and to an end to discrimination at work.

Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913 lobbying for peace on the eve of World War I. Women in Europe followed suit, holding rallies on 8 March 1914 to protest the war. Russian women again chose the last Sunday in February 1917 to strike for "bread and peace" to protest against the 2 million Russian soldiers who had died in the war. Four days later, the provisional Government in power after the Czar’s abdication granted women the right to vote. That historic day fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar.

Since then, International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March and has taken on a new global dimension. The growing international women's movement has resulted in coordinated efforts to demand women's rights and participation in the political and economic process. The campaign to promote and protect the equal rights of women has received intense and widespread support. The Charter of the United Nations signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality as a fundamental human right.

The United Nations' theme for International Women's Day in 2007 is "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls." The subject highlights the crucial need to create and maintain a social and legal environment that does not accept and tolerate violence against women. Unfortunately, such violence occurs in every country and cuts across boundaries of culture, class and education. We all publicly decry violence against women. But the truth is that it is often embedded within our cultural practices and norms.
Ending all forms of violence against women, whether it is physical, sexual or psychological, is one of the most daunting challenges faced by the world.

It is time for the women of today to reflect on progress made. International Women's Day is YOUR day. It is time for YOU to call for a change.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com