“I’ll Be Right Back”

Some aging challenges affect men more than women (see “Hair Today”), but we all seem to spend more and more time running to or sitting on the john because our kidneys just aren’t performing like they used to.

That’s because, over time, kidney tissue and function decline, along with the nephrons that filter waste material from our blood. Kidney blood vessels also harden, causing them to filter more slowly. Our bladder’s walls change, too: their tissues lose their elasticity so our bladders can’t hold as much urine. (I’m trying to determine at this point if I’m depressed or just have to pee.)

The urethra is where men and women part. Women’s urethras can become weakened and blocked, causing a prolapsed bladder or vagina. For men, the prostate gland can be the villain, blocking the urethra and reducing function.

These problems send us looking for solutions, of which there are many, most of which you can learn about watching cable TV at two a.m. Perhaps that explains why some fancy hotels put a television in the bathroom - and maybe it’s worth trying at home!

Whether bladder leakage can be addressed by the offerings of a retired athlete now starring in these late-night offers, there are things you can do. Avoid the usual suspects (tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol, as well as excess weight) and embrace pelvic floor, or Kegel, exercises to head off bladder leaks.

 If they are done right for about three months, you can regain control of your muscles and - bonus! - improve your sex life. This sounds like a win without having to relinquish your name, address, and credit card number to a company that will undoubtedly expose you to the myriad scams and semi-scams targeting anyone who regularly orders from television ads.