A note from the editor
Welcome to Edition 89 of Bridge Magazine. Our regular readers will note we have switched from naming
the editions by season to numbering them. Though there were consumer magazines and publications by The Continence Foundation of Australia (now Continence Health Australia) before 2004, the first ever edition of Bridge Magazine, Edition 1, was published in Summer 2004.
Bladder control, bowel control and pelvic health symptoms rarely occur on their own, and in this edition,
we look at some of the health conditions related to incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control). We hear from Justine, who has lived experience of multiple sclerosis; Robert, who experienced incontinence following prostate cancer; and Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, who sustained a spine injury in a car accident at medical school and after recovering, went on to become the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh is now an emergency department doctor, associate professor of medicine and a disability advocate.
Dr Palipana will be a speaker at this year’s National Continence Health Conference (formerly NCOI) in Melbourne, Victoria. There are workshops for health professionals, carers and people experiencing incontinence, so we hope to see many of you at the Pullman from 13-16 May 2026.
Sarah Tayler, Managing Editor
In this edition
Partnering with patients to provide quality of life
Dinesh Palipana – doctor, lawyer, disability advocate and researcher – brings lived experience and professional expertise to his work after a life-changing car accident when he was 25.
Multiple sclerosis, incontinence and resilience
Living with multiple sclerosis Justine experienced a range of continence health issues. Finding a pelvic floor physiotherapist was “a game changer” for this advocate and author.
Dementia and urinary incontinence Q&A
Researcher Dr Amanda Cross is working with Dementia Australia to help people with dementia and their families understand the risks and benefits of medications in bladder control.
A day in the life of someone with prostate cancer
Since surgery for prostate cancer, Robbie has needed to manage little leaks with a small continence pad. He feels fortunate to have an amazing support network.
How are UTIs and incontinence connected?
Urologist Dr Elayne Ooi talks about how to identify, prevent and manage urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the link with bladder control health.
Hey, put that phone away!
5 ways scrolling on the toilet is impacting your bowel health, with Dr Jim Kantidakis, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of The Gut Centre.
Pregnancy, birth and your pelvic floor
Ways to prevent common birth injuries and pelvic health, bladder control and bowel control problems, with Professor of Midwifery Dr Hannah Dahlen, AM.
5 minutes with … Heba Shaheed
Women’s health physiotherapist Heba shares the importance of pre- and post-natal checks with a pelvic health physiotherapist to avoid issues and symptoms .
Jargon busting: the bowel edition
We help you understand the symptoms and syndromes related to bowel health and bowel control problems.
