BERKELEY, CA USA (UroToday.com) - It's a common scenario: You're in a dark movie theater, glued to the giant screen during a pivotal scene. And then, at the worst possible moment, you have to urinate. You have no choice but to stumble awkwardly over an endless row of legs and make a beeline for the nearest restroom. By the time you return, you've missed an important scene, and you're completely lost.
Shanee and Diane offer unique and valuable insight in the fight against overactive bladder. If you find yourself frequently dashing for the exits, you could have an overactive bladder. Fortunately, Shanee Edwards has an app for that. She promotes RunPee, an on-the-go app for when you have to go. It lists the least-vital scenes from the latest movies, so you know when to run to the restroom. She has partnered with Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, an occupational expert on overactive bladders. Together, they shared how you can enjoy the movies, treat your symptoms, and flush away your symptoms for good.
- Shanee, this is always the most anticipated time of year for new releases. What are the must-see movies during the holidays?
Interstellar is a visual delight. It is visually stunning. The Hobbit has gods, kings, and exodus. It's fun and fantasy for the whole family. Unbroken is another good one. Also, Boyhood is a movie that spans 12 years. You literally see a boy grow up on screen. - Shanee, which movies do you think may make the Oscar cut?
I think Unbroken could win, as could Selma, the Martin Luther King movie. Boyhood is a good contender, too. - Shanee, do you expect a lot more use of the app this season? Absolutely! A lot of these movies are two hours long. Boyhood is three hours long. Run/Pee tells you the best time to run, pee, and come back. It also summarizes the scene you missed while you were in the restroom.
- Shanee, what can a moviegoer do to prepare in advance?
Go to RunPee.com to download the app. It's free to download over the holidays, so you'll never have to miss an important scene again! - Diane, the RunPee app is great for those with overactive bladder. What constitutes an overactive bladder? How exactly would you define it?
One out of three women experience overactive bladder symptoms, so it's not an uncommon problem. Patients should also know that overactive bladder has three symptom:- You have to go too frequently. This means you'll go at least 8 times a day. Some women will go up to 15 times a day.
- Bladder urgency, or a strong urge to go
- Urinary incontinence, or leakage; You can actually lose the entire volume of your bladder.
- Diane, what are the treatments for overactive bladder?
Surveys show that women don't seek help for overactive bladder. The fact is that there are a lot of effective treatments available. Lifestyle changes include weight loss and removing bladder irritants such as coffee and caffeine from your diet. You can do pelvic floor muscle exercises, and there's drug therapy, too. There are many new medications available. When you combine these treatment methods, they will be the most effective. - Diane, movies are one of those times where you are glued to your seat for 2 to 3 hours. What does that mean for some people who have bladder problems?
Going out can be a real problem, especially in venues where there is a line. You'll begin to fear the consequences of having to wait in these lines. It will be an unpleasant experience when it's supposed to be a happy outing. - Diane, what other tips do you have for moviegoers who may have bladder problems?
There are five things you can do when going to the movies to minimize the effects of overactive bladder:- Always go to the bathroom beforehand.
- Don't buy the 64-ounce Coke. It's full of caffeine!
- Sip water slowly; don't drink it all in one sitting.
- Don't eat the chocolate candy, as it contains more caffieine.
- Sit towards the back and near the ends so that a trip to the restroom happens quickly, discreetly, and without crawling over anyone.
Needless to say, having an overactive bladder is a problem with a capital pee. But with the new RunPee app and a few simple treatments, overactive bladder no longer has to interrupt your life. It's time to avoid the accidents and lose the leaks. Break free from the bathroom, and let the show begin!
Biographies
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| Shanee Edwards/Diane K. Newman/FirstLine Media |
Shanee Edwards graduated from UCLA with a Masters degree. She works as film critic, entertainment journalist, and screenwriter, and she promotes the RunPee app. She also discusses movies on websites such as SheKnows.com and CreativeScreenwriting.com. She will publish her first book later this year called Enchantress of Numbers. She is on Twitter @ShaneeEdwards.
Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN has extensive experience in the area of urology. She works closely with the University of Pennsylvania as the Adjunct Professor of Urology in Surgery, the Research Investigator Senior at the Perelman School of Medicine as well as the Co-Director of the Penn Center for Continence and Pelvic Health. She treats patients with overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and other related issues.
She is also the Principal Investigator for Translating Unique Learning for Incontinence Prevention: The TULIP Project, R01NR012011, NINR/NIH as well as the Group Learning Achieves Decreased Incidents of Lower Urinary Symptoms (GLADIOLUS), NIA/NIH. In addition, Newman is a co-investigator in three different medical studies.
Newman has also appeared in the media. She has been a speaker in Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Cairo, Montreal, and many other corners of the globe. She published an article in the American Journal of Nursing, and has appeared in O magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and USA Today. She has written three books and co-authored another. She is also the co-editor of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Core Curriculum for Urologic Nursing.