February 3, 2008
God, I just love the French language. It's so poetic. The French word for bladder incontinence is une fuite urinaire (fweet oo-ree-nair). To me, that sounds like a lilting piano melody. French is just sublime! Instead of a weak bladder, you say you have une faiblesse urinaire. Hmm. Isn't that the title of a Perrault fairy tale? Instead of Depends, there is a lovely line of products called Tena. In my book, Tena sounds like a garden party invitation, not an adult diaper.
Think about it. When that embarrassing sneeze catches your undergarments just a bit off guard, wouldn't you rather say "Oops, I've got a little fuite urinaire. Anyone have a spare Tena?"
But here's the amazing thing I've learned. One method of treatment available for incontinence and other gynecological muscle problems in France is a little device called KEAT (pronounced kay-ot). It actually looks like a vibrating tampon, but it is for what the French call rééducation périnéale à domicile. Thirty minutes a day for a month and you're pipi-free.
You've just gotta adore French. A most mellifluous and charming language. There's no question that it sounds so much more elegant to say "I'm doing some rééducation périnéale à domicile" than "I gotta go home and do my kegel exercises."
Oui Oui!
Comments
tlancio (anonymous) says...
Loved the article, didn't think incontience could sound so good. My patients will love it when I say do you have "une
fuite urinaire" or are you wearing your "Tena" today.
March 25, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Beckie (anonymous) says...
Hi Polly. Nobody is home but when I read your article, I was laughing out loud. I probably scared the neighbors. "Call 911. Our neighbor is having a heart attack!"
My daughter and I have a blog that deals with boomer issues to boomerang issues (her generation). I will be referring to your blog quite a bit because I have not found a better source in the blogosphere than BoomerGirl. Thanks for the chuckle -- guffaw!
Cheers,
Beckie
April 11, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cathy (cathy) says...
Polly, we've had a request from a reader - do you know if they sell a KEAT-like device in the U.S.?
Thanks,
Cathy
May 13, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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