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Show - . t . .. - . . .-. . - The Center for Science in the Public Interest, in a survey of children ages ' 8-12, learned that each could name an average of 5.2-alcoholic beverages, but only 4.8 of our Presidents. One seven-year-old could name 10 brands of beer and wine but only two Presidents, :"Abrilliartf Linchon and Ra- ' gon." Does mis reflect on our system of values? . ' j Ihe truth, about incontinence least six cups per day. " In some cases, drinking cranberry juice can be helpful . by affecting your body's ph r balance. Caffeinated beverages should be avoided since caffeine has a diuretic effect. Other helpful dietary hints include eating high fiber and high carbohydrate foods and maintaining main-taining proper weight. Suretys has a toll-free Helpline to answer questions on incontinence. Call 1-800-262-0042 10am - 4pm EST. Once when Mark Twain was editor of a newspaper in a small Missouri town, he received a letter from a subscriber, who told him that he had found a spider in his paper. He wondered 'Whether that was a good omen or eith'f wam wTOteback. "Thd rperely poking over our paper to see which merchant was not advertising so that he could go to that store, spin a web across the door and lead a life of undisturbed peace ever afterward." 7. :.'' v' y . Incontinence, the loss of bladder control, is one of the last taboo subjects to be talked about openly. Long ignored in "polite company", this condition condi-tion affects a growing number of people each year and was . the topic of discussion at a re- cent conference of the National Na-tional Institute of Health. How much do you know ; about incontinence, a condition condi-tion that may affect you or , someone you know in the fu- i turejJTest your knowledge as - i.mon .incontinence myths;- - " i- cording to Suretys, a leader ' ; , in adult absorbent products. . MYTH: Incontinence affects only a small number of people. ' " , FACT. Over 13 million Americans Amer-icans experience some form of , .i incontinence. Since inconti-, inconti-, 1 nence is not a usual topic of . ' conversation, a majority of , people with the problem con- . , tinue to live unaware of the ; ways to manage it Many re-' sort to makeshift solutions . j I such as feminine hygiene products whch are unsuit-y unsuit-y able to handle an incontinent ,- 7' " episode. Sy.(7-7:i'-- 7 77 .. MYTH: Incontinence is just - . a problem for the elderly and . v' A"'.. sick.. ",7 ":i-'r:7y 7i 7 7 , FACT: Incontinence can af- 1 feet anyone at any age. The condition can be aggravated by a number of factors, rang-i rang-i ing from pregnancy to high- impact aerobics or joggingV. Although the majority of in- " continent people are between . . ' the ages of50 and 70, children , and new mothers rank highly ,. ; " as well. An estimated 42 per-' f cent of women experience in-' in-' continence some time in their . ' " , life, usually as young adults r of during the middle years. . i The overall number is smaller ' for men, with an estimated 25 , ' percent (usually below age 15 " ... or above 65) experiencing in-, ; I i continence at some point ' 1 MYTH: Incontinence is a , V'7. disease. 7't 7'':''77'- 'r'7 I FACT: Incontinence is a symptom of a medical condi- V' v'S'- -7"7'' -77,'7yi,"'J - tion and" therefore affects people in very different ways. The condition ranges from a very light or temporary case, which may occur in the course of exercising, to a heavy case involving complete loss of fro ) 1711 bladder control. Because in-continence in-continence is caused by an un-; "deriving medical condition, it can often be treated upon a doctor's diagnosis. MYTH: There are no solu-' solu-' tions for incontinence. Once you develop the problem, i x , you've got it for life, FACT: There are many op-v op-v tions for dealing with incontinence. inconti-nence. A doctor may recom-' recom-' mend an exercise program, change in diet, or medication. - For cases of heavier incontinence, inconti-nence, surgery may be an op-tion. op-tion. Many cases of inconti- ; nence can be cured and 100 i percent can be managed. -. Although half of all patients : are admitted to nursing homes 1 because of incontinence, there are alternatives. By using a '- '; highly absorbent product like ' Suretys Disposable Shields, . Undergarmenta, Pads, Fitted Briefs or Panties, people with incontinence can continue a , ; normal schedule of activities . , with confidence. . . MYTH: Cutting back on fluid intake will decrease chances ; ". ' of incontinence. ' . v , FACT: Decreasing fluid in-' in-' . take can cause serious reper- ; - .- cussions. Dehydration can ; ' lead to urinary tract infec- ; tions. It is recommended that daily intake of water be at |