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Urinating too much? We can help.
Does this sound familiar?
• Going more than 8 times a day
• Avoiding social events
• Using pads to control leaks
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a treatable condition. It’s not a normal part of aging, and Central Ohio Urology offers the InterStim System solution so you don’t have to deal with it on your own.
According to The National Association for Continence (www.nafc.org), more than 25 million people in the USA experience bladder leakage every day.
1. Stewart WF, et al. Prevalence and burden of overactive bladder in the United States. World J Urol. 2003 May;20(6):327-336.
2. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2011). World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, CD-ROM Edition.
3. National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), http://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basic_information/vision_loss_burden.htm. Accessed July 1, 2020.
4. National diabetes statistics, 2011. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse website. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes. Accessed July 1, 2020.
5. Leede Research, “Views on OAB: A Study for the National Association of Continence.” December 16, 2015.
Is overactive bladder disrupting your life?
STEP 1: Diagnosis — “What is happening to me?”
Symptoms of Overactive Bladder (OAB) Include:
Urge incontinence
- Going before you reach the bathroom
- Experiencing frequent leaks
- Using pads or protective garments
Urgency-frequency
- Frequent, uncontrollable urge to go
- Going more than 8 times a day
- Feeling like your bladder is never empty
Symptoms of Urinary Retention Include:
- Can’t tell if your bladder is full
- Holding increasingly large amounts of urine
- Weak or dribbling stream
- Needing to use a catheter
Why is Urinary Retention Happening?
There are two general types of urinary retention: obstructive and non-obstructive. If there is an obstruction (for example, kidney stones), urine cannot flow freely through the urinary tract. Non-obstructive causes include a weak bladder muscle and nerve problems that interfere with signals between the bladder and the brain. If the nerves aren’t working properly, the brain may not get the message that the bladder is full.
Some of the most common causes of non-obstructive urinary retention are:
- Stroke
- Vaginal childbirth
- Pelvic injury or trauma
- Impaired muscle or nerve function due to medication or anesthesia
- Accidents that injure the brain or spinal cord
Obstructive retention may result from:
- Cancer
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Enlarged prostate (BPH) in men
STEP 2: Lifestyle Changes – “What should I try first?”
Conservative treatments can help some people, but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.
- Diet and exercise: Changes may include decreasing your caffeine intake and getting more exercise.
- Bladder retraining: Also called biofeedback, this involves delaying going to the bathroom and sticking to a strict schedule.
- Pelvic floor strengthening: This can be accomplished through Kegel exercises, which involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor.
STEP 3: Oral Medications – “Are there medications for OAB?”
When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms but may cause other issues.
You have to remember to take these medications every day. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation and hypertension. And sometimes, patients find that these medications simply do not work for them.
STEP 4: Advanced Therapies – “What if medications don’t work for me?”
If both lifestyle changes and medications fail to improve bladder control, there are non-medication treatment options to consider —
It could be time to consider Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ System
The InterStim™ System by Medtronic
This video shows and compares the two InterStim™ devices so you can decide which is right for you.
The InterStim™ System targets the nerves that control your bladder to help it function normally again.
Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding and infection. Talk with a Central Ohio Urology Group doctor about ways to minimize these risks. Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device and some temporary pain.
Your doctor or nurse will provide you with the information regarding how to operate the test device, and inform you of other precautions related to the evaluation and activity restrictions.