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Is Bedwetting Considered a Sleep Disorder?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:46:54 -0500

Is Bedwetting Considered a Sleep Disorder?

Researchers generally agree that wetting the bed an average of two or more times per week can be a sign of a sleep disorder. Keep in mind that this applies only for patients older than 5 years, the age at which full bladder control should typically be established. Among children and adults, bedwetting on occasion is not a considered a huge problem, although it may imply a more serious underlying condition and should be checked out by a doctor.

When you go to see a doctor, it�s important to note whether you have primary or secondary bedwetting. Primary bedwetting refers to patients who have been wetting the bed for their entire lives. Secondary bedwetting refers to patients who had achieved full bladder control at one point in their lives and then suddenly lost it. The latter is usually a sign of temporary stress or a bladder condition.

Bedwetting is considered a type of sleep disorder called a parasomnia. Parasomnia disorders cause those affected to behave abnormally while they sleep. This can include other sleep disorders like sleepwalking and sleeptalking. In the case of bedwetting, uncontrolled urination is triggered by the parasomnia. The disorder causes a lot of distress and sometimes trauma for patients, so it is important that family and friends of bedwetters remain supportive and understanding of the problem while he or she seeks out help.

The first step in treating bedwetting is seeing a doctor to rule out possible underlying issues. Medical abnormalities will usually be detected after a physical examination, a few simple lab tests, and possibly a sleep study. Bedwetters dedicated to fixing their problem should also practice at-home behavior modification by limiting beverage intake before sleeping.

Another great way to re-condition bedwetting habits is to practice waking up in the middle of the night to pee. Over time, this can train the body to recognize when the bladder needs emptying. There are bedwetting alarms available at most drug stores to help with this practice. Bedwetting alarms come in a multitude of forms, but a popular one is a padded alarm placed beneath the child at night which sounds when it senses moisture.

Only if simple behavioral techniques such as these fail should a bedwetter consider more serious options, such as diapers or medication. Diapers, while they may appear to control the problem, may sometimes worsen symptom of bedwetting over time. Bedwetters who wear diapers tend to become less aware of their bedwetting as a problem and ignore long-term solutions. Moreover, hormonal medication that claims to cure bedwetting can have many side effects and should only be used as a last resort. Experts are much more supportive of a behavioral therapy approach. Regardless of the approach you ultimately take to manage bedwetting, the first step is to visit a doctor to rule out any other underlying issues.

http://Sleepdisorders.com provides resources to those with debilitating sleep disorders. Whether you need information or a sleep doctor, http://sleepdisorders.com aims to shed light on the sleep conditions that affect millions of people ...

Shedding Pounds Helps You Hold Your Pee

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:49:34 -0500

Shedding Pounds Helps You Hold Your Pee

If you are overweight or obese, you are prone to many different health problems, including a leaky bladder. Carrying all that extra weight around also puts you at risk of diabetes, another risk factor for urine leakage.

Overweight women with diabetes may prevent a leaky bladder if they lose weight.Obesity puts people at risk of a leaky bladder - also known as urinary incontinence. Research has shown that weight loss can reduce urine leakage.

Obesity also puts people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, suggesting that weight loss could be especially beneficial for overweight women with diabetes.

Lead researcher Suzanne Phelan, Ph.D., of California Polytechnic State University, and her colleagues wanted to see if an intensive weight loss intervention would reduce the risk of urine leakage among heavy women with diabetes.
The researchers divided 2,739 overweight or obese women with type 2 diabetes into two groups: an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention group and a diabetes support and education group. Intensive lifestyle intervention involves making changes to diet and exercise.

From their study, Dr. Phelan and colleagues found that overweight women with diabetes who made changes to their diet and exercise habits lost an average of about 17 pounds. As they shed these pounds, they lowered their risk of urine leakage.

For every 2.2 pounds that a woman shed, the risk of urine leakage dropped by three percent.

At the beginning of the study, 73 percent of the study's participants had no urine leakage problems. Among these participants, 10.5 percent of those in the lifestyle intervention group developed a leaky bladder after one year. In comparison, 14 percent of those in the diabetes support group experienced urine leakage after one year.

Women who lost five to 10 percent of their weight lowered their risk of urine leakage by 47 percent.

"Weight loss interventions should be considered for the prevention of urinary incontinence in overweight/obese women with diabetes," the authors conclude.

The study is published in The Journal of Urolo ...

Are little urine leaks a big problem? How to talk to your doctor

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:51:16 -0500

Are little urine leaks a big problem? How to talk to your doctor

Your friend tells you a funny joke, and then it happens. You start pedaling during your spinning class, and it happens again. You hear water running and oops, you know you will also be wet. You might feel frustrated and embarrassed, but you are not alone. In fact, these types of urine leaks are quite common. Up to 50 percent of all women have occasional urine leaks and up to 10 percent have them frequently, according to the MedlinePlus Encyclopedia.

Leaking small amounts of urine when you do little things like laugh, sneeze or get up quickly are symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). What causes SUI? Leaks happen when the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, doesn't get enough support or isn't able to close properly. Childbirth, injury to the urethra area, weak muscles, some medications, being overweight and surgery in the pelvic area are all things that can contribute to SUI. Women can experience SUI at any age starting in their 20s, with most common occurrences in women 30 or older. Incontinence is not a normal part of aging, so don't assume that your condition just happens to "women my age."

If you're like most women who experience these little leaks, your first instinct will be to reach for a box of panty liners. When these unpredictable leaks continue to cause frustration or embarrassment, you owe it to yourself to talk to your doctor about the cause and treatment. Be the one to bring up this issue as many doctors will not ask you directly.
Here are some basic questions to help you discuss your symptoms at your next appointment.

1. Is it normal that I sometimes leak urine when I cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise?
2. What are the different kinds of incontinence? Which type do you think I have?
3. Are there any lifestyle or diet changes I can make to help my condition?
4. What are the medical treatment options? How long do these treatments take?
5. What are the success rates and risk factors of each treatment?
6. Will insurance cover the costs of incontinence treatment?

If you have SUI, your doctor will likely ask you to make some lifestyle changes including bladder training in which you gradually increase the length of time between bathroom visits. Pelvic floor exercises, commonly referred to as Kegel exercises, will help to strengthen the muscles that are used to control urine flow. Hormone therapy, such as estrogen creams, may also be effective in helping to improve pelvic floor muscle tone.

One common treatment for SUI is surgery to insert a mesh sling. A less invasive option for some women is a bulking agent like Macroplastique which is injected into the tissues around the urethra. Bulking agents are designed to allow the urethra to close more effectively and prevent urine from leaking. A urethral bulking procedure is performed in your doctor's office or in an outpatient clinic or hospital in approximately 30 minutes. Health insurance usually covers this treatment. It is important to talk to your doctor about the side effects, risks and benefits of all treatment options and what you can do to make your treatment as effective as possible.

If you have SUI, it's important to realize that it's a common problem with many potential solutions. The first step is to talk with your doctor so you can continue to live life to the fullest each da ...

More people struggling with bladder control: study

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:12:09 -0400

More people struggling with bladder control: study

(Reuters Health) - An increasing number of people say they are dealing with incontinence, according to a new survey of nearly 20,000 U.S. adults.

In particular, the number of women over age 20 who reported leaking urine during the previous 12 months increased from less than 50 percent of those surveyed in 2001 to more than 53 percent several years later.

Incontinence is incredibly common among women -- largely because the biggest risk factor is vaginal childbirth, explained study researcher Dr. Holly Richter of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's division of women's pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

In addition, hormonal changes, weight gain and conditions that affect the pelvic floor such as chronic cough can all lead to problems with bladder control.

"The main issue is that the normal support to the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder, is impaired," explained Richter, "and with increases in bladder pressure, the urethra is not able to 'hold back' urine."

Looking more closely at the results, Richter and her colleagues found that the increase in urinary incontinence (UI) among women is partially explained by the fact that more women are older and have chronic illnesses that increase their risk, such as diabetes and obesity.

As a result, even if UI has become a problem for more people, there is something they can do about it, Richter told Reuters Health. Specifically, she said in an email, preventing obesity and diabetes, or managing diabetes once it occurs, "can be implemented to help decrease the risk of UI occurrence, thus decreasing its significant negative impact on quality of life."

Even men experienced an increase in UI during the study period -- from 12 percent to more than 15 percent.

However, the researchers found that the increases among men are not entirely a result of concurrent increases in obesity, diabetes, and prostate disease. Instead, male changes in UI "may be due to other factors that were not identified in this study including other medical (conditions) or lifestyle factors," Richter explained.

During the study, reported in the Journal of Urology, Richter and her team reviewed information collected from 17,850 adults 20 and older during national surveys conducted in 2001-2002 and then again in 2007-2008.

People were considered to have incontinence if they said within the last 12 months they had leaked urine while coughing, lifting, or during any type of activity, or when they could not reach the toilet fast enough.

It's quite possible, Richter acknowledged, that the rate of UI is actually much higher than that reported in the study. "This along with bowel incontinence can be a very embarrassing issue for women and result in the patient denying its existence to friends, family and healthcare providers."

In the published report, Richter acknowledged affiliations with Astellas, IDEO, Pfizer and Uromedica, companies behind drugs that treat bladder condition ...

My doctor told me I have incontinence... now what?

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:55:25 -0400

My doctor told me I have incontinence... now what?

"You have urinary incontinence."

Hearing these words from your doctor can bring out all kinds of feelings and questions. You may be feeling embarrassed, angry, afraid, and alone. You may also have questions about incontinence, how it will affect your work and social life, and where to go for help.

It may help to know that you're not alone: over 3 million Canadians of all ages have incontinence. But you may feel alone because most people are too embarrassed to talk about it - only 26% of people with incontinence ask their doctor for help. So congratulate yourself on having the courage to speak up! By talking to your doctor and getting a diagnosis, you're on the road to taking control of your incontinence.

Here are a few "next steps" to help you cope with your diagnosis and get your life back.

Educate yourself. Learn all you can about urinary incontinence and the management options available to you.

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions for people newly diagnosed with urinary incontinence:

Can it be treated? Yes. There are many treatments available to help manage your incontinence so that you can get on with your life.
Will everybody know? No. With the new discreet treatment and management options available, no one will know about your incontinence unless you decide to tell them.
Is this the end of my social life? Definitely not! You can still enjoy an active social life. Just be prepared: follow your treatment plan, consider using absorbent products for leakage protection, and have an emergency kit (containing extra clothes and absorbent products) to deal with leaks.
How will this affect my relationship with my partner? Your relationship could become stronger than ever as you work together to cope with incontinence. The first step is to share your feelings and concerns with your partner.
Will it be an issue at work? With a proper management plan, it shouldn't be. As with social occasions, it's all a matter of being prepared.
Where can I get help? Talk to your doctor about available support groups and consider confiding in trusted friends and family so they can offer their support.

Talk to your doctor about your treatment plan. Discuss your treatment and management options with your doctor and work with your doctor to choose a treatment plan that will work for your lifestyle.

Get back to your usual activities. When you first found out you had urinary incontinence, you may have scaled back on your social life and physical activities. But incontinence shouldn't get in the way of the things you enjoy. Once you have a treatment plan in place, you can go back to your usual activities.

Find support. Talk to your partner or a trusted friend about what you're going through. You can also join an incontinence support group or online communit ...

GoodNites Launches New Marketing Program to Help 4-6 Year Olds stay Dry at Night

Thu, 12 May 2011 09:57:46 -0400

GoodNites Brand Launches New Marketing Program to Help Moms Keep Their 4-6 Year Olds Dry at Night

Kimberly-Clark�s GoodNites brand announced today the launch of a new integrated marketing program to educate moms of 4-6 year olds on the benefits of switching from training pants to GoodNites brand underwear to meet their children�s nighttime needs.

With approximately one million potty-trained kids among this age group still wearing training pants at night to help manage bedwetting, the focus of the new GoodNites brand marketing program aims to raise awareness among moms about a product specially designed for her growing child�s needs.

�In our ongoing partnership with mom, we�ve gained new insight into the needs of those with younger children. We learned many 4-6 year olds are wearing training pants instead of GoodNites Underwear to provide protection against nighttime accidents,� said Tim Abate, marketing director, GoodNites.

�It was through our conversations with these moms that we realized they were looking for a better solution for nighttime wetting.� Abate went on to explain. �The GoodNites brand can give them that solution. At this age, GoodNites Underwear provides an outstanding fit and more absorbency than the leading training pant � helping keep the sheets dry, and the kids confident.�

For more than 17 years, the GoodNites brand�s mission has been to provide advice, resources and product solutions to parents with children who suffer from bedwetting (clinically known as �nighttime enuresis�), to help enable an easy night�s sleep. The new marketing program continues to deliver on this mission, but will also focus on reaching moms of kids 4 and up and arming them with better bedtime solutions.
The program is centered on the GoodNites brand specific design and fit for growing kids who need better nighttime protection. The brand is reintroducing TV advertising as part of its overall marketing mix for the first time in three years as a result of market research findings. The program�s creative idea is visually communicated through scenes illustrating a child literally getting bigger overnight�bringing to life how quickly time can seem to pass as children grow up.

The commercial program will kick off with TV spots starting in May and running through September, and will be seen during a wide variety of network programs, including the �Today Show,� �The View� and �Good Morning America.�

In addition to new TV spots, the GoodNites brand will be supporting the program through integrated marketing strategies, including social media engagement, an online community partnership, sampling, digital integration, in-store communications, and expert support from the NiteLite Panel� - which includes pediatricians and parenting experts.

Also, the GoodNites brand website, www.GoodNites.com, has recently undergone a site redesign to help mom and child have a better bedtime experience. The website enhancements include:

Improved site navigation, including sorting of educational information by what�s most helpful to site users.
The opportunity to ask questions of and receive expert answers from the NiteLite Panel�.
Identifying helpful comparisons between the leading training pant and GoodNites � sharing benefits and product details.
Adding a "helpful" button next to articles and resources so site users can interact with content.

For more information about the GoodNites brand or to find the resources available for mom and child, please visit www.GoodNites.com.

About the GoodNites Brand

The GoodNites brand offers trusted nighttime protection and has been a market leader for parents for more than 17 years. It is a trusted partner, providing advice and resources to help navigate enuresis. In fact, last year alone, more than 2.2 million families trusted the GoodNites brand. The products help create a comfortable night for boys and girls, with distinct underwear-like choices to meet a child�s independent needs and personal style. Visit www.GoodNites.com to learn more about the products, for information on bedwetting and for advice on how parents can make bedtime �quality time� with their child.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people � nearly a quarter of the world's population � trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 139-year history of innovation, visit www.Kimberly-Clark.co ...

Day and night incontinence may be inherited

Wed, 11 May 2011 12:24:25 -0400

Day and night incontinence may be inherited

Both daytime and night-time urinary incontinence may have a genetic component, according to a large new study.

While nocturnal enuresis has been known to be somewhat hereditary, little research had previously linked genes with daytime bladder control.

The new study, published online April 21 in The Journal of Urology, suggests that the odds of a child having severe daytime incontinence is 3 to 10 times greater if either parent had suffered the same
The study

Dr Alexander von Gontard of Searland University Hospital in Homburg, Germany, and his colleagues studied more than 8,000 British children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Parents completed questionnaires about their own daytime and night-time incontinence beyond age 5, and data was obtained from their children at the age of 7-and-a-half.

Overall, 15.5% and 7.8% of the children had nocturnal and daytime incontinence, respectively.

Severe cases of night-time incontinence, defined as 2 or more episodes a week, affected 2.6% of the children. 1% of the children had severe daytime incontinence.

The researchers found significant patterns when they compared rates of incontinence between parents and their children. For a mother or father, having nocturnal incontinence twice a week or more as a child raised the odds of their child having a severe case of the condition by 3.63 and 1.85-fold, respectively (both P < 0.001).

The findings

Meanwhile, the odds of a child having severe daytime incontinence was 3.28 times higher if their mother had similar problems as a child (P = 0.005) and 10.1 times higher if their father had grown up with daytime episodes (P < 0.001).

"Their evidence for a familial link for daytime urinary incontinence is a bit more novel than for nocturnal enuresis, but it is not altogether new," Dr John S. Wiener, head of paediatric urology at Duke University Medical Centre, told Reuters Health in an email.

In addition to tying environmental factors to some subgroups of urinary incontinence, for example, previous studies hinted at genetic risks of dysfunctional voiding, giggle incontinence and urge incontinence.

But "many facts regarding the heritability of urinary incontinence are missing", report the researchers.

Dr Wiener, who wasn't involved in the study, also expressed concern over limitations in the study, including the low rate of severe incontinence and the potential for bias among parents attempting to recall their own problems as a child.

"This information does little to help manage such patients," he added. "It may help to tell children that they are not unique in this problem, and, in fact, their parent(s) had the same problem as a child."

Still, he noted that the conditions deserve serious attention, as they can be "embarrassing and distressing problems for children and can negatively impact self-esteem and normal socialisation". (Reuters Health/ May 20 ...

Very high caffeine intake linked to leaky bladder

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:26:58 -0400

Very high caffeine intake linked to leaky bladder

Women who consume a lot of caffeinated beverages may have a slightly increased risk of urinary incontinence, a new study suggests. The results add to conflicting evidence on whether caffeine worsens a common condition.

Researchers found that of more than 65,000 US women, those with the highest caffeine intake - roughly equivalent to four or more cups of coffee per day or 10 cans of soda - were more likely than the less-caffeinated to develop urinary incontinence over 4 years.

Compared with women who got the least caffeine, those with the highest intake were 19% more likely to develop frequent problems with bladder control (at least once a week).
The study

The study found no increased risk among women consuming 299 mg of caffeine - the equivalent of about three cups of coffee - or less per day.

In the most highly caffeinated group that consumed 450 mg or more per day, however, caffeine was particularly related to urge incontinence.

The findings, reported online 18 March in the Journal of Urology, do not prove that caffeine caused the women's bladder-control problems. And if caffeine is to blame, it may only be at very high amounts.

"We only observed an increased risk of urinary incontinence among women with the highest intakes of caffeine - that is, women who consumed about four or more cups of coffee per day," Dr Mary K. Townsend, one of the researchers on the work said.

The findings

"We found no increase in risk among women with lower caffeine intakes," said Dr Townsend, of Harvard Medical School in Boston.

She said it is too early to give women specific advice on caffeine intake. More studies are needed to confirm the current results.

Another study published in March looked at 14,000 Swedish women and found no increased risk of incontinence among coffee drinkers when age was taken into account. That analysis did not factor in the amounts of caffeine individual women consumed, however.

Women who already have urinary incontinence are commonly told to limit their caffeine intake, Dr Townsend noted.

Avoid caffeine

"Our study suggests that avoiding higher caffeine intake might also be useful advice for women who do not have urinary incontinence, but are concerned about developing (it)," she said.

The findings are based on data from two large long-term studies of 65,000 US nurses between the ages of 37 and 79. Half fell into the lowest caffeine intake group - less than 150 mg/day, roughly equivalent to less than a cup of coffee per day.

Another 9% consumed 450 mg of caffeine or more per day. That equates to about four or more cups of coffee each day, or 10 cups of tea or cans of caffeinated soda.

Of the women in that high-caffeine group, 2.7% developed frequent urinary incontinence each year over the next 4 years. That compared with 1.9% in the lowest-intake group.

On adjustment for variables such as age, weight and smoking habits, very high caffeine intake itself was tied to a 19% increase in the risk of frequent incontinence.

According to Dr Townsend, caffeine is a diuretic, and so people who already have an overactive bladder may be more susceptible to those effects.

There's also evidence, she said, that even low doses of caffeine can speed muscle contractions in the bladder. (Reuters Health/ April 20 ...

Mums Keep Mum When It Comes To Bedwetting

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:59:21 -0500

Mums Keep Mum When It Comes To Bedwetting

New survey reveals bedwetting is still a taboo

A survey released today by DryNites� reveals that mums whose children wet the bed fear judgment and embarrassment from other parents. 75% of the 1,513 mums polled agreed that bedwetting was viewed as an embarrassing condition, despite it being almost as common as asthma or eczema*.
.
Almost 4 out of 10 of parents polled, whose children wet the bed, admitted not discussing their situation with other parents for fear of being judged as a bad parent of having their child labeled because of it.
Jenni Trent-Hughes is a family counselor and mum who has been through this herself: It�s interesting that mums, despite communicating through everything from Twitter, to Facebook and blogs, can�t talk to each other about something like bedwetting, where sharing their experience can actually help. Having been there myself I know how one can feel embarrassed and unwilling to discuss the issue or seek help. Choosing that course doesn't help the situation, in some cases can even make it worse. Often by delaying reaching out you can miss receiving advice that could improve the quality of life for all involved.

Many parents stay silent as they fear their child might be bullied or teased as a result. Aimie Turner, a 36 year old mum from St Albans, has been through the experience with her two sons 7 and 9. Although I don't mind discussing the subject openly, I don't because I know my sons will be embarrassed and possibly teased. Rather then being seen as a normal part of growing up, it�s considered an embarrassing problem. I don't think parents realize how many other families are experiencing the same thing so it has become a negative cycle of shame and fear of sharing, resulting in little support or understanding for families and especially children.'

66% of parents surveyed believed a child should ideally be dry at night by the age of 4, but in reality this is often not the case. DryNites� expert Penny Dobson explains; About one in five 4� year olds aren�t yet dry at night and some children can have bedwetting accidents up to the age of 15 or even beyond, but most children will be dry at night by the time they are 7 or 8. Despite this parents shouldn�t be afraid to seek help. 30% of parents in our survey said they�d wait until their child grew out of bedwetting but if parents are concerned they should speak to their GP or health visitor.

Almost half of the parents (45%) who took part in the survey thought a child who wet the bed did so because something was worrying or upsetting them and this can sometimes be the case. There are several other factors that can cause bedwetting, including heredity. says Penny. Others might not be producing enough of an important hormone, called vasopressin, which effectively puts the kidneys to sleep at night.

Using absorbent sleepwear such as DryNites� pyjama pants, is just one of the ways parents can cope with nightly accidents. Penny explains. Keeping clothing and sheets dry, they help to break the cycle of worry and anxiety, meaning parents and children can sleep with confidence.

Jenni concludes, Hopefully, these statistics show mums that their family is not the only family by far who is being affected by this issue. It reaches so many of us and there is so much opportunity for help and support that the wise among us will put our embarrassment to one side and reach out for the sake of our sanity and our children&quo ...

Tech venture develops wetness sensor for adult diapers

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:31:22 -0500

Tech venture develops wetness sensor for adult diapers

AKITA -- A technology venture firm here has developed sensors for adult diapers and absorptive pads which informs care workers when a change is needed.

The sensor tapes created by Akita Techno Design are also disposable, and company President Takeshi Ito says sensor-equipped diapers "will reduce the load on both care workers and those they care for."

The new device, dubbed "Oshiri Kaiteki" (Comfy Bottom), is made of carbon material printed on a 50-micrometer-thick sensor tape that is run along the inside of an adult diaper or absorptive pad and connected to a small transmitter. The sensor does not respond to sweat or very small amounts of urine, but will pick up large volume emissions, and send a signal to a wireless receiver.
The sensor tapes are also cheap, costing just 40 yen each, so they can be thrown away along with the diaper. The receiver can pick up data from up to 15 patients within a 100 meter radius. The system makes periodic checks of patients' diapers unnecessary, reducing work for care givers, and also improves hygiene and patients' quality of life, as diapers can be changed right away.

Ito set his mind to the problem after seeing the difficulties faced by the helper caring for his mother, who required primary nursing care before she passed away in March 2009. He had also heard care workers say that, unlike meals and baths, there was no special equipment available to help with the call of nature. Ito thought that technology might be able to reduce some of that burden, and started his sensor project.

Designing and testing the sensor tape involved everyone in the small company, with Ito and his employees donning sensor-laced diapers in a long process of trial and error. They also conducted tests at nursing homes.

The sensor tape has already been pressed into service at a Nagoya hospital, and is now being adopted by a number of medical facilities in Akita Prefecture on a trial basis.

"If we go into mass production, the cost of the sensors will drop even more," says Ito. "We'd like to put our effort into boosting sales, and market the sensors worldwide.&qu ...