For 33 million Americans, bladder control is a problem. The constant need to run to the bathroom or the fear you might leak urine at the most inopportune moment significantly affects your life. Overactive Bladder (OAB), defined as frequent urination with urgency and sometimes incontinence along with Painful Bladder Syndromes (Interstitial Cystitis), defined as a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder without bacterial infection, represent two of the most common bladder control issues affecting women in the United States.

Initial treatments consist of diet modifications, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption, bladder training, biofeedback, and medications. In many patients, these treatments are ineffective and symptoms persist. There is another option, InterStim Therapy. This FDA-approved treatment can eliminate of greatly reduce balder control symptoms for people suffering form urgency, frequency, painful bladder syndromes, and urinary retention problems.

InterStim Therapy works with the sacral nerves located near your tailbone. Your nerves, which branch out to your organs, control a variety of functions. The sacral nerves control your bladder and the muscles related to urinary function. If the brain and sacral nerves don’t communicate correctly, bladder control problems occur. InterStim Therapy targets this communication problem and stimulates the sacral nerve to restore proper bladder function.

The good news about InterStim Therapy is that it is initially placed as a test stimulator, which is not permanent and allows the patient to see if the treatment will work before committing to a long-term device. The initial test stimulator consists of a small thin electrode placed in the back near the tailbone. The lead is attached to a small stimulator that you can adjust and control. During the test stimulation, you will be asked to keep a diary to document your urinary symptoms. If therapy proves to be beneficial, long term InterStim Therapy can be initiated. This consists of a short surgery to implant a small neurostimulator in your upper buttocks under the skin. The device is controllable by you with a patient programmer and may be adjusted and turned off at any time.

Interstim is safe and effective and has been used in over 40,000 patients worldwide. For more information contact Dr. Mathews at 972-781-1444 or visit the web site at www:drjkm.com

Tags: active bladder, bladder control problems, bladder dysfunction, chronic inflammatory condition, cystitis, frequent urination, inopportune moment, interstitial cystitis, leak urine, overactive bladder, painful bladder, problem, retention problems, sacral nerve, sacral nerves, symptoms, treatments, United States, urgency, urinary bladder, urinary function, urinary symptoms, without | Category: Bladder Dysfunction, News & Education, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Urogynecology |