Urologic Diseases Research Updates
Winter 2008

Additional Resources

Awareness and Prevention Series

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has created a new health information series to raise awareness about kidney and urologic diseases, diabetes, and digestive diseases among people not yet diagnosed with these illnesses.

The Awareness and Prevention Series, which the NIDDK developed for health fairs and similar venues, features two-page fact sheets about a wide range of health topics. Each fact sheet gives readers a snapshot of an illness, highlighting risk factors, symptoms, prevention tips, and where to go for more information. The fact sheets are written in English on one side and Spanish on the other. Kidney and urologic diseases fact sheets address kidney stones, bladder control, and urinary tract infections.

“The series is designed to encourage readers to ask ‘Could this be me or someone I care for?’” said Kathy Kranzfelder, director of the NIDDK Information Clearinghouses. “Raising awareness of these illnesses will hopefully help people learn to prevent them or see a doctor if they have symptoms.”

Copyright-free full texts of the Awareness and Prevention Series publications can be downloaded or ordered through the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/ap.htm.

The website also has fact sheets and booklets with more complete information about these and many other topics related to kidney and urologic diseases.

Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse has a new, easy-to-read booklet about interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Although IC/PBS affects both men and women, it is nine times more common in women. It also is most common in middle age. People with IC/PBS rarely have bladder pain all the time. The pain usually comes and goes as the bladder fills and empties. The pain may go away for weeks or months and then return. People with IC/PBS sometimes refer to an attack of bladder pain as a flare or flare-up. Though stress may bring on a flare-up of symptoms in someone with IC/PBS, it does not cause the condition. What I need to know about Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome explains the symptoms of IC/PBS, diagnostic tests, and treatment options, and is available online at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis_ez/index.htm.

Lo que usted debe saber sobre las infecciones urinarias
(What you need to know about Urinary Tract Infections)

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse has completed an online update of this booklet in Spanish. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually caused by bacteria that can also live in the digestive tract, in the vagina, or around the urethra, which is at the entrance to the urinary tract. Most often these bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder and kidneys. Usually the body removes the bacteria and people have no symptoms. However, some people—including women and older adults of both sexes—are prone to infection. This easy-to-read booklet discusses the causes and treatment of UTIs, how to prevent them, and when to see a doctor. For a copy of the publication, go to www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/spanish/pubs/uti_ez/index.htm.

NIH Publication No. 08–5743
March 2008

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