Health

Is Incontinence Troubling You? Visit a Specialist

Published

8 months ago

December 17, 2021

Bladder control is something we all take for granted. It’s not until it starts to slip away that we realize how important it is. Incontinence can be a symptom of many things, so you should never put up with the problem yourself. Visit a specialist today and get back to living your life. If you’re in Wildwood, Florida, some centers can offer sound remedies for incontinence. Target a center for incontinence in Wildwood, FL, which is reliable in its services.

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This can be caused by various conditions, including pregnancy or menopause, but other things can also bring it on. For instance, diabetes brings a higher-than-average risk for incontinence because blood sugar can affect nerve function in the bladder.

What Should I Do About Incontinence?

If you experience incontinence, don’t put it off. Many other conditions have similar symptoms, so visiting a specialist is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis. Luckily for you, there are a host of specialists out there who can help. One of the most common types is a urologist. These are medical professionals who specialize in the urinary tract. They can help you get to the bottom of your incontinence problem, even if it takes multiple appointments or tests.

Another type of specialist is a continence nurse advisor. They are specially trained to help with individual cases. Their job is to find out what’s causing your incontinence, then provide you with the best care possible. They can also help you choose a treatment that’s right for your needs, including any specialist treatments available on the market.

What Are Some Causes of Incontinence?

As mentioned above, incontinence arises as a result of another medical condition. Sometimes it’s urinary incontinence, which is caused when the bladder or urethra lose their normal function.

There are some other causes of incontinence that don’t fall into either category. For instance, pelvic surgery can lead to incontinence, as can a fistula. Additionally, children who have had a stroke may experience incontinence later in life because of the changes to their nervous system caused by the original condition.

Types of Treatments Available and What they Involve

There are several different treatment options for incontinence, some more invasive than others. The choice of treatment can vary depending on the cause of your condition. For example, if you have pelvic floor dysfunction, biofeedback may be required to help get things back on track.

Bladder suspension and hormone therapy are common treatments. It helps a lot in reducing and eventually eliminating the problem. They may start with some lifestyle modifications, such as engaging in physical exercises and weight loss.

Tension-free vaginal taping is the other remedy. This is done when there are excessive spasms of the pelvic floor muscles. The tape works to restrict the pelvic floor muscles, so they do not tense up. It will reduce bladder leakage during coughing, sneezing, bending, or lifting heavy objects.

Incontinence has a solution through visiting an incontinence specialist. These experts are knowledgeable about the treatment options for the problem. They offer guidance on the home care measures to observe, such as doing pelvic exercises. Consider looking for the best medical team as this makes the solutions splendid.

Health

Limited Options for COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Victims

Published

3 days ago

August 13, 2022

Michelle Langton

Rolling out vaccines and booster shots across the U.S. marked crucial milestones in terms of healthcare and fighting the spread of COVID-19. However, an essential element is still missing: legal recourse for those who experience serious adverse side effects.

Current COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Claims

Currently, there are more than 1,300 pending injury claims related to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. They are waiting to be heard by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a government tribunal that handles public health emergencies.

To date, this tribunal has only handled two such cases. One alleged the plaintiff suffered from severe tongue and throat swelling following the vaccine, while the other alleged long-term shoulder pain. Plaintiffs lost both cases and were denied compensation.

Given the comparatively new nature of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is challenging for plaintiffs to prove that their injuries directly resulted from the vaccine. Combined with the lack of research on long-term side effects, it is unlikely that plaintiffs will be able to meet this burden of proof anytime in the near future.

How COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Claims Are Handled

Of interest is that claims related to the COVID-19 vaccine are being heard by the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) instead of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault government tribunal; known colloquially as “vaccine court.”

Formed in the late 1980s, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program responded to diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine claims. Pharmaceutical companies were listed as defendants in lawsuits related to vaccine side effects. However, the government created a separate entity to handle such cases when manufacturers threatened to stop producing vaccines altogether.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarified that the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could not hear cases until the COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended for routine administration to children, per a 1986 vaccine law. Additionally, the COVID-19 vaccine would have to be subject to the same 75-cent tax imposed on other vaccines.

Compensation From the CICP

There are several differences between the two tribunals, which plaintiffs claim make the CICP inappropriate for COVID-19 vaccine injury litigation. Of these, compensation is one of the biggest causes for concern.

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has awarded injured plaintiffs more than $4 billion since its inception. In comparison, the CICP has only awarded compensation for 29 of 455 cases— that means that 92 percent of plaintiffs are deemed ineligible or denied compensation. Compensation ranged from $31 to nearly $2.3 million, with a median award of roughly $5,600.

This is partly because compensation options from the CICP are much more limited. Plaintiffs can only claim lost wages and out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $50,000 per year or death benefits up to $370,376 in the case of a vaccine-related fatality.

Differences Between Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs

Below are other key differences between the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program:

Plaintiffs do not have the opportunity to testify in court
There is no independent judge or jury present
Pain and suffering-related damages are not covered
There is a limited right to appeal one’s case

This means that plaintiffs who file a case related to injuries allegedly caused by the COVID-19 vaccine are offered less compensation, less legal representation, and less recourse through appeals as opposed to plaintiffs who file a case for injuries caused by any other vaccine. Still, if you are experiencing symptoms related to the COVID-19 vaccine, it may be in your best interest to speak with an injury attorney.