Overactive Bladder (OAB),
which results in frequent sometimes hurried urination or incontinence,
can occur in both men and women. Various symptoms can occur with
OAB:
• A strong need to urinate that forces you to rush to the
bathroom.
• Leakage of urine associated with urgency.
• Urinating more than
8 times per day.
• Waking up at night to urinate two or more times.
Initial treatment
for OAB is generally medication, which attempts to relax the
muscle of the bladder. This is effective for many patients, especially
those with mild to moderate symptoms. For patients who fail to
respond to medication, other treatment choices include Biofeedback
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and InterStim Therapy. Our practice
often has ongoing clinical trials with new treatment options
for patients who have OAB.
Stress incontinence is leaking of urine
during strenuous activity, such as coughing, laughing, sneezing,
and changing of position. It occurs because of weakened pelvic
muscles or pelvic floor support. In women, it is often a result
of multiple vaginal deliveries. Although infrequent in men, it
can be related to prostate cancer treatment. Fortunately, stress
incontinence is very treatable, but unlike OAB there is no effective
medication.
Biofeedback Pelvic Floor Muscle Training provides
computerized monitoring to allow a patient to recognize proper
muscle activity and strengthen certain pelvic muscles. These
high tech Kegel exercises are carried out under the direction
of trained nurses. Patients with stress incontinence may also
benefit from this training.
Some patients can have both OAB and
stress incontinence.
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