A recent study conducted among Finnish women was used to determine whether cigarette smoking could be tied to bladder symptoms in women.

The results:  An overwhelming "yes."

Over 3,000 women in Finland received a questionnaire asking various questions regarding stress urinary incontinence (SUI), frequency, urgency, and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI).  The possible ratings were never, rarely, often and always.  More than 2,000 women responded, or some 67%. 

Earlier research had shown that urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary incontinence and urinary urgency were the most common (and bothersome) bladder symptoms for women.  These symptoms have also been proven to be associated with an increased risk of co-morbidities and impairment of quality of life.

Although public awareness regarding smoking has been in the forefront for many years as a major component in morbidity and mortality, the number of smokers has increased worldwide.  There now seem to be nearly 250 million women in the world who are daily smokers.

Even though substantial research has been undertaken to study bladder symptoms, few of the studies assessed the effect of how smoking might impact these conditions. 

This study strongly suggested current and former smokers were tied to urgency and frequency but not with the other symptoms under review.  Heavy smoking was also associated with urgency and frequency.

The study concluded urgency and frequency are three times more common among women who are current smokers than in women who have never smoked.  Similarly, parallel associations for urgency and frequency were tied to smoking intensity, suggesting a dose-response relationship.

Earlier studies may have been inconclusive because they failed to distinguish among the bladder symptoms, lumping them all together as a single "cluster."  By studying the effects of smoking as they relate to each individual symptom, a more specific correlation was achieved.

The researchers state their results suggest a strong rationale for women who are currently seeking medical attention for urgency and frequency bladder symptoms to give up smoking.

Herb of the Day

Ginger Ginger is an herbaceous tropical perennial and grows from aromatic, tuberous rhizome which is knotty and branched. This...

Health tip of the Day

Homemade Healing Mixture for Dry and Cracked Feet Oils are rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. Linoleic and linolenic acids are needed for the grow...

Latest Post

1

Berries Smoothie - Youth Elixir Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K, dietary fiber, and flavonoids.........

2

Homemade Healing Mixture for Dry and Cracked Feet Oils are rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. Linoleic and linolenic acids are needed for the grow...

3

Bone Fractures When bones receive more pressure than they can withstand, a fracture occurs. Some of the more common causes are falls, ...

4

Indigestion Most people will suffer from indigestion (also known as dyspepsia) at some point in their lifetime. This condition is ty...

5

Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is typically caused by an irritation or infection of the intestines or stomach. It can cause diarrhea, v...

6

Gastritis Gastritis is most commonly caused by an infection of Heliobacter pylori bacteria, which is also the primary cause of ulc...