Accidental or involuntary loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence) is a common condition that can affect women of all ages. It’s common enough, in fact, that you may believe you just have to learn to live with it. You don’t. The experts at Urology Care, P.C. in Tucson, Arizona, offer a variety of treatment options that can cure your incontinence and free you from the embarrassment and frustration it causes. Schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking your appointment online.
Urinary incontinence is categorized according to the circumstances under which urine is lost. Stress incontinence, for instance, describes the loss of urine that occurs during abdominal contractions.
It may be triggered by sneezing, laughing, coughing, or exercise. Simple activities such as arising from a chair may be enough to induce an episode of stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence is related to an overactive bladder and causes the sudden and extreme urge to urinate, which often leads to urine being expelled before you’re able to reach the bathroom. Urge incontinence can occur even when only small amounts of urine are present in the bladder.
Your symptoms may also be the result of a urinary tract infection or kidney stones that are interfering with normal function. Some medications can also cause urinary incontinence.
There are numerous diagnostic studies your Urology Care specialist can use to identify the origin of urinary incontinence.
The process begins with a detailed review of your medical history and the pattern and nature of your symptoms. A physical examination that includes a pelvic exam is also an important part of the evaluation.
Your provider typically requests a urine sample as well to check for infection and/or blood in the urine. They may recommend further testing with studies such as a bladder scan, essentially an ultrasound of the bladder to visualize its contents and emptying ability.
Sometimes a more advanced test such as a urodynamic study is required to gain further information. These tests are painless and done at the Urology Care facility for your convenience.
Treatment depends on the type of incontinence, its severity, and if you have an underlying health condition causing the problem. Incontinence that’s associated with infections, kidney stones, or medication side effects typically resolves after the primary problem is identified and treated.
The team at Urology Care offer many possible treatments for incontinence, customizing each patient’s care to meet their needs. Many women see an improvement with pelvic floor exercises to improve muscle control, but treatment often includes one or more of the following:
Your doctor at Urology Care may also recommend neuromodulation. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is one example of this type of therapy. PTNS treats urinary incontinence by delivering mild electrical stimulation to multiple nerves responsible for bladder and pelvic floor function.
Another type of neuromodulation is provided by InterStim®, an implantable device that sends mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerve. The electrical stimulation provided by all types of neuromodulation normalizes nerve communication, which in turn relieves overactive muscles.
Your Urology Care provider designs an effective treatment program based on the type and cause of your incontinence. Call today to schedule an appointment at Urology Care or book your visit online.
