Life Without Leaks

In this gripping episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with John, a law enforcement officer, father of two and competitive strongman, about his harrowing journey to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis.

What began as severe abdominal pain during college spiraled into months of weight loss, vomiting, emergency room visits and being repeatedly dismissed as a drug seeker. Despite worsening symptoms - including intestinal rupture and near-fatal complications - John struggled to be believed. Ultimately, exploratory surgery at the University of Pennsylvania revealed the truth: advanced Crohn’s disease requiring immediate intervention.

John opens up about the physical toll, temporary ostomy, slow recovery and the psychological impact of medical trauma. He shares how therapy, strength training and community helped him reclaim his identity and rebuild confidence.

His message is clear: advocate for yourself, seek providers who listen and be cautious about online horror stories. Crohn’s may be life-changing, but it is not the end of the world. John’s powerful story is one of resilience, validation and hard-earned hope.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Dr. Ryan O’Leary, advanced fellow in inflammatory bowel disease, for a deep dive into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Dr. O’Leary breaks down what sets Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis apart from other digestive conditions, explaining how IBD can affect patients at any age, from early childhood to later adulthood, and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. He explores the complexity of inflammation, the role of the immune system and how IBD can impact far more than the gut, including joints, skin, eyes and mental health.

The conversation also covers realistic treatment goals, the expanding range of medications available today, dietary considerations, when surgery becomes part of care and why personalized treatment plans are essential. Importantly, Dr. O’Leary addresses the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition and emphasizes the importance of persistence, advocacy and specialist care.

If you or a loved one is navigating unexplained GI symptoms or an IBD diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, reassurance and a hopeful look at what’s possible with modern care.

Learn more about a wide range of bowel conditions and get free resources here. 

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

In this moving patient story, we speak with Gerri, a Crohn's patient, about her journey from debilitating digestive symptoms to complete remission.

Gerri shares what it was like to live in New York City while navigating relentless urgency, severe abdominal pain she describes as “hot lava,” and the constant need to locate the nearest restroom. After months of worsening symptoms and a turning point moment with her mom, she sought specialist care, leading to bloodwork, testing, colonoscopy and, ultimately, a diagnosis.

Hers is a story of relief and hope. She explains how biologic therapy dramatically eliminated her symptoms within 24 hours and how ongoing treatment has allowed her to live fully - working, running and becoming a new mom - without her disease defining her life.

Her message is clear: Don’t wait. Seek care, advocate for yourself and find a doctor you trust. For anyone struggling with unexplained GI symptoms, this episode offers reassurance that effective treatment - and real freedom - is possible.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we sit down with Dr. Maria Roell, an internal medicine resident specializing in gastroenterology, to break down the essentials of inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Roell explains what IBD really is and how it differs from IBS, outlining key warning signs such as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and urgency. She also highlights lesser-known symptoms, including joint pain, skin changes and eye inflammation, that can signal systemic disease.

The conversation walks listeners through the diagnostic journey, from lab work and stool tests to colonoscopy and imaging, and it explores the growing range of treatment options, including biologics and emerging biosimilars. Dr. Roell also addresses common barriers to care, including cost, access and stigma, while emphasizing the importance of asking questions and advocating for yourself.

Whether you’re newly experiencing symptoms or navigating a recent diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, practical guidance and reassurance that effective treatment options are available.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

Urgency, frequent bathroom trips and unexpected leaks can disrupt daily life, but they’re more treatable than many people realize. Dr. Travis Bullock joins Life Without Leaks to answer questions from his recent webinar, explain the difference between overactive bladder and other forms of incontinence, and discuss new therapies like neuromodulation that can help restore bladder control and quality of life. 

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

In this episode, Dr. Eric Rovner addresses a common fear that men have about prostate cancer treatment: incontinence. Drawing on his clinical experience, Dr. Rovner explains that treatment does not automatically mean a lifetime of bladder leakage. In fact, only a small percentage of patients experience long-lasting symptoms. He discusses why temporary changes in bladder control can occur, what factors influence recovery and - most importantly - what men can do before and after treatment to reduce their risk and regain control. Our conversation offers clarity, reassurance and actionable guidance for men navigating prostate cancer care. 

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

With all there is to think about when getting treated for prostate cancer, the idea of incontinence might not be high on your list. But if you're undergoing radiation or surgery, there's a good chance it will be. Incontinence is remarkably common for men following these treatments, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and return to more normal function. Today's guest is a patient who's gone through it all firsthand, and he's here to share what he's learned to help make your own care journey a little easier.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

Caregiving for someone with incontinence can be challenging, demanding and frustrating at times - but it can also be an expression of love and an opportunity to strengthen a bond with someone you care deeply about. Today's guest is Michele Mongillo, who recently authored Caring with Dignity: A Caregiver's Guide to Incontinence. Michele is Senior Clinical Director for First Quality, a leading manufacturer of personal hygiene products including Prevail adult absorbent garments, and for more than 30 years she has provided care to patients in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and more. 

Her book is a fantastic resource to help those looking after a patient with bladder or bowel issues, but it's also a remarkable introduction for those dealing with these conditions themselves. 

Get your copy of Caring with Dignity today from: 

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Walmart.com

Mascot Books

Links:

First Quality - Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Prevail protective hygiene products - Website, Facebook, Instagram

Prevail eNurse program - www.prevail.com/enurse

Michele Mongillo - LinkedIn

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

When most people think about the symptoms of incontinence, they think about physical things like urgency and leaks. But what's every bit as real - and every bit as troubling - are the mental health symptoms that so many patients live with. Incontinence is significantly associated with depression, anxiety and other mental issues, and addressing them can be a particular challenge.

Today's guest is Tina Harris from Tenderheart Health Outcomes, here to share with us important information that the team at Tenderheart has learned about mental health from their research and patient surveys. She discusses what patients and caregivers commonly experience and offers strategies to help lighten the mental burden. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health struggles, don't wait for things to get worse before seeking help. The best time to act is now. Please click or call any of these resources for qualified, professional help: 

National Mental Health Hotline - 866-903-3787

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - 877-726-4727

National Family Caregiver Support Program

National Alliance on Mental Illness - 800-950-6264

American Society for Suicide Prevention - Call 988 or text TALK to 741741

More information on Tenderheart can be found at TenderHeart.com. 

Details about Tenderheart's research efforts can be found by clicking here. 

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com. 

One of the things that doesn't get enough attention when it comes to living with incontinence is caregiving. Those who assist their loved ones managing their symptoms - the emotional ones as well as the physical ones - often don't get the support they need, and that can take a tremendous toll on their own wellbeing. Today's guest is Lori Mika, a certified dementia practitioner and a passionate caregiver herself as well as an account executive for Tranquility Incontinence Products, who shares with us about the things you can do to flourish in the caregiving role. 

More information about Tranquility Incontinence Products can be found at TranquilityProducts.com.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Living with bladder leaks shouldn't mean worrying about whether your protection can keep up. LivDry makes premium incontinence products designed for moderate to heavy bladder leakage with options for daytime, overnight, and extra protection when you need it most. From comfortable protective underwear to high-capacity briefs and insert pads, LivDry is designed to help you find the right level of protection for your needs. Learn more about LivDry at livdryhealth.com.