L A N C A S T E R M E D I C A L S O C I E T Y.O R G Healthy Communities Urinary Incontinence A PREVALENT AND UNDERTREATED CONDITION U rinary incontinence is very common and the incidence increases with age. About 14 percent of women have incontinence every day and this increases to 21 percent in women over 85 years old. Up to 43 percent of women can have overactive bladder. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that approximately 25 percent of young women, 44-57 percent of middle-aged women, and 75 percent of older women experience some involuntary urine loss, but only 45 percent seek care. This is about quality of life. There are treatments, and the condition should not be ignored. CHARLES KRESPAN, MD Drs. May Grant Associates LANCASTER 18 PHYSICIAN