LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — For a third year, the Urology Care Foundation, American Urological Association (AUA) and the Bladder Health Alliance – a coalition of groups representing physicians, patients and veterans – are drawing on the month of November to raise awareness about bladder conditions and encourage individuals to take an active role in managing their bladder health.

Millions of Americans struggle with the impacts of such bladder conditions and disease as urinary incontinence, overactive and underactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infections, nocturia, bedwetting, bladder cancer and neurogenic bladder, on a daily basis. These conditions have a significant impact on an individual's health and quality of life, and result in substantial health costs (estimated to be more than $70 billion per year).

"Raising bladder health awareness and encouraging men and women to talk about their bladder health symptoms is a critical first step in eliminating the stigma associated with bladder-related conditions and disease," said Harris Nagler, MD, President of the Urology Care Foundation. "It's important for individuals to talk to their healthcare provider about what's bothering them, including changes in their urinary function or urinary symptoms. Many times these conditions can be treated through simple lifestyle changes, oral medical treatments, diet and exercise."

To support participation in Bladder Health Month, a number of downloadable resources – including fact sheets, posters, social media messages and patient brochures – are available on the Urology Care Foundation Bladder Health Month Resource Center. Additionally, the Foundation, AUA and organizations within the Bladder Health Alliance, will use the following weekly themes to connect, educate and inspire people across the country to get the facts, get diagnosed and take control of their Bladder Health:

November 1 – 3 | Bladder Health Overview
November 4 – 10 | Interstitial Cystitis, Neurogenic Bladder &amp, Bladder Infection/UTI
November 11 – 17 | Bladder Cancer
November 18 – 24 | Incontinence, OAB &amp, SUI
November 25 – 30 | Bedwetting &amp, Nocturia

Bladder Health Month officially begins Thursday, November 1. The Urology Care Foundation has developed a web page with resources for the public, in addition to its Twitter (hashtag #BladdersMatter), Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram platforms to disseminate this information for public use and dialogue.  

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognized the Urology Care Foundation, as the official sponsor of this National Health Observance. The Foundation aims to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urologic diseases through research and education.

For more information about bladder health, please contact the AUA Communications office by calling 410-689-3932 or sending email to communications@AUAnet.org.

About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. We partner with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urological diseases through research and education. The Urology Care Foundation has established one of the most dynamic, physician-led patient education programs in medicine today and prides itself on being the single largest repository for urologic patient education information that is medically approved and aligned to AUA Clinical Guidelines. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.UrologyHealth.org.

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 22,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. For more information visit: www.AUAnet.org.

Members of the Bladder Health Alliance: Alliance for Aging Research, American Geriatric Society's Health in Aging Foundation, American Urogynecologic Society, American Urological Association, Association for the Bladder Extrophy Community, Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Blue Thong Society, Chesapeake Urology Associates, HealthyWomen, International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, Interstitial Cystitis Association, Men's Health Network, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Association for Continence, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Simon Foundation for Continence, Society for Women's Health Research, Spina Bifida Association, SUFU - Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine &amp, Urogenital Reconstruction, United Spinal Association, Urological Association of Physician Assistants, Urology Care Foundation, Veterans Health Council, Women's Health Foundation, and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN).

SOURCE American Urological Association