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What Kind Of Doctor Treats Bladder Problems

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Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence

Treatment Options for Common Bladder Problems

We treat men and women with the urge to urinate and urinary leakage caused by an inability to get to the toilet in time when they have a sudden urge to pee. These symptoms are called urinary urge incontinence, often abbreviated as UUI.

We also treat women and men who experience leakage of urine when they cough, run, lift heavy objects, or engage in other activities. This is called stress urinary incontinence, often abbreviated as SUI.

Treatment Of Incomplete Bladder Emptying And Urinary Retention

We treat symptoms of slow urine stream, difficulty starting urination, a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, and urinary retention in men and women. We also treat urinary retention in patients with an enlarged prostate, neurogenic bladder caused by multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, diabetes, back pain , spinal cord trauma, pelvic and spinal surgery as well as brain surgery.

How Soon After Starting Kegel Exercises Will Urinary Incontinence Get Better

It may take 4 to 6 weeks before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.10

Kegel exercises work differently for each person. Your symptoms may go away totally, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms but still have some leakage, or you may not see any improvement at all. But even if your symptoms dont get better, Kegel exercises can help prevent your incontinence from getting worse.

You may need to continue doing Kegel exercises for the rest of your life. Even if your symptoms improve, urinary incontinence can come back if you stop doing the exercises.

Also Check: Drugs To Treat Bladder Infection

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Which One Do I Choose

Choosing between a nephrologist and urologist can be a little confusing. Its easy to understand that urologists specialize in issues related to the bladder, penis, testicle, urinary tract and male reproductive system while nephrologists specialize in issues related to the kidneys.

But since the kidney, bladder, and urinary tract are related, how do you choose between the two? To make it easier, follow this rule: if you have any issue related to your kidneys or kidney function, you need a nephrologist. They have the education, training, and experience necessary to diagnose, treat, and prevent both common and complex kidney conditions.

A lot of issues in the bladder or urinary tract derive from an underlying problem in the kidneys. This is why a nephrologist is the best medical professional to treat your kidney-related issue. In the situation that you also need to see a urologist in addition to a nephrologist, your nephrologist will work with your urologist to ensure you get the best medical treatment possible.

Surgical Treatment For Overactive Bladder

This Is When to See a Doctor for Bladder Control Problems

Surgery may recommended for severe cases. The two most-commonly used procedures are:

  • increases bladder size by removing a section of the bowel and adding it to the bladder. Increased bladder size allows someone to store more urine, reducing the urge to urinate. Possible complications include infection, blood clots, bowel obstruction, urinary fistula, and an increased risk of bladder tumors .
  • Sacral Nerve Stimulation is a newer surgical technique that involves placing a small electrical device in the lower back. The device sends electrical impulses to the sacral nerve, which improves control of the muscles in the bladder and pelvic floor.

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Kidney And Ureteral Problems

We treat patients with ureteral obstruction, UPJ obstruction, hydronephrosis, and kidney stones. We also treat men and women with blood in the urine. An in-office kidney ultrasound is available for timely evaluation and diagnosis of kidney problems.

  • Renal masses
  • ureteral duplication

Our urologists are experienced surgeons. We offer both surgical and non-surgical care in the office and hospital settings. We see patients from all parts of New York City, other parts in the USA, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, and other international patients.

Our experienced urologists treat urinary problems in men and women of all ages. We successfully treat bladder problems in elderly men and women who are often told that they have no options.

Risks Involving Bladder Surgery

  • Strictures Scar tissue inside the bladder, ureters, or intestines.
  • Obstruction of the intestines or ureters.
  • Blood clots in the lungs or legs.
  • Infection at the surgery site.
  • Damage to organs near the bladder.
  • Some forms of bladder surgery, due to a cancer for example, make the patient infertile because reproductive organs may be removed in the process.
  • If men had their prostate and seminal vesicles removed during surgery, then they may experience erection problems.
  • Women who have part of their vagina removed during surgery may experience sex problems.

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Bladder Incontinence In Women

Bladder incontinence is more common in women than in men. Other than the possible causes listed above, some things that may increase risk of bladder incontinence in women are:

  • Changes to urinary or vaginal tissue from hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy
  • Hormonal changes from menopause
  • Pelvic prolapse the bladder, uterus, and or rectum may slip backward or downward into the vaginal canal because of weak pelvic wall muscles
  • Pregnancy
  • Hysterectomy

What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The 3 Causes Of Urinary Bladder Problems/Issues Dr.Berg

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition where youre unable to correctly relax and coordinate the muscles in your pelvic floor to urinate or to have a bowel movement. If youre a woman, you may also feel pain during sex, and if youre a man you may have problems having or keeping an erection . Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles found in the floor of your pelvis .

If you think of the pelvis as being the home to organs like the bladder, uterus and rectum, the pelvic floor muscles are the homes foundation. These muscles act as the support structure keeping everything in place within your body. Your pelvic floor muscles add support to several of your organs by wrapping around your pelvic bone. Some of these muscles add more stability by forming a sling around the rectum.

The pelvic organs include:

  • The bladder .
  • The uterus and vagina .
  • The prostate .
  • The rectum .

Normally, youre able to go to the bathroom with no problem because your body tightens and relaxes its pelvic floor muscles. This is just like any other muscular action, like tightening your biceps when you lift a heavy box or clenching your fist.

But if you have pelvic floor dysfunction, your body keeps tightening these muscles instead of relaxing them like it should. This tension means you may have:

  • Trouble evacuating a bowel movement.
  • An incomplete bowel movement.
  • Urine or stool that leaks.

Pelvic floor muscles

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Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor Muscles

Millions who suffer with urinary incontinence feel like their bladder controls their lives. Control depends on muscles working together. This simple step can control your bladder!

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health

When the bladder fills, the bladder muscles should be relaxed and the muscles around the urethra , called the pelvic floor muscles, should be tight. Exercises that strengthen these muscles can help prevent leakage and calm the urge to go. These are commonly called âKegelâ exercises, named after the doctor who developed them. They can help keep your pelvic floor muscles toned and may reduce your problems with leakage or frequent urges to urinate.

Read Also: Bladder Leakage When Wearing Tampon

If You Live With Oab You May Also:

Leak urine or have urge incontinence. This means urine leaks when you feel the sudden urge to go. This isnt the same as stress urinary incontinence or SUI . People with SUI leak urine when sneezing, laughing or doing other physical activities.

Urinate frequently. You may need to go to the bathroom many times during the day. The number of times someone urinates varies from person to person. Many experts agree that going to the bathroom more than eight times in 24 hours is frequent urination.

Wake up at night to pass urine. If you have to wake from sleep to go to the bathroom more than once a night, its a symptom of OAB or nocturia.

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What Can I Expect In A Visit

Your first appointment with a urologist may not be different from a visit with your primary doctor. Youââ¬â¢ll fill out forms and answer questions about your health history, current symptoms, and any medicines you take.

The urologist will do a physical exam that includes a genital and rectal exam. They may also order blood work or imaging tests, like a CT scan or ultrasound, for a closer look at your organs.

Medical Therapy And Devices For Neurogenic Bladder

Colporrhaphy

Besides behavioral therapy, there are medications and devices used to treat neurogenic bladder, including:

  • Anticholinergic drugs: Several medications are available that may help people with frequent or urgent urination, or leakage due to neurogenic bladder. Anticholinergic drugs act by relaxing the muscles of the bladder, and decreasing the urgency or leakage due to overactivity or spasms of the bladder. The drugs have many side-effects, such as drowsiness, blurred vision, heart palpitations and facial redness. Patients may need to try several drugs before finding one that works well.
  • Antispasmodic drugs: Antispadmodic medications also work by relaxing the muscles of the bladder. This can increase the capacity of the bladder and decrease the need to urinate frequently. These drugs have similar side effects to anticholinergic medications and may interfere with activities that require physical coordination and mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.
  • Antidepressant drugs: Certain antidepressant drugs can be used to treat bladder problems, although they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for these uses. The drugs work by relaxing the muscles of the bladder and can be used to treat frequent urination .

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How To Diagnose And Treat A Prolapsed Bladder

This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, and Most Outstanding Resident Overall.There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 112,458 times.

Experts say that your bladder may fall from it’s normal position in your pelvis if your pelvic floor becomes too weak or there’s too much pressure on it.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source When this happens, your bladder presses on your vaginal wall, which is called a prolapsed bladder. Research suggests that as many as 50% of women have some form of bladder prolapse after pregnancy, so it’s a fairly common problem.XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the PublicGo to source If you’re worried you have a prolapsed bladder, talk to your doctor because you have a range of treatment options.

How Does Someone Become A Urologist

In order to become a urologist, you must first get a bachelors degree and then pass the Medical College Admissions Test in order to get into a medical school. It usually takes about four years to earn a medical degree.

From there, you spend five to six years in a residency program. During this time you will get training in both surgical and medical treatments of urologic diseases.

After that, if you want to specialize in a certain narrower field, youll need to complete a fellowship that may last another one to three years.

After a residency, you may choose to become board-certified from the American Board of Urology.

Then, in order to actually practice as a doctor, youll need to take and pass your state medical examination and meet any guidelines that the medical board has issued.

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Avoid Tobacco To Help Prevent Bladder Cancer

Every year, more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Tobacco use is a major risk factor, Badlani warns: Smokers are at least three times as likely to get bladder cancer as nonsmokers. If youre still smoking or using other forms of tobacco, its important to stop for bladder health and other reasons as well. Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking.

Why Choose New York Urology Specialists For Incontinence And Urinary Problems

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  • All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men and women with symptoms of frequent urination, urge to pee, urinary incontinence, UTI, and other urinary problems using medical therapy, minimally invasive therapies, lasers, and surgery.
  • We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for treating urinary problems, erection problems in men, and sexual problems in women.
  • We offer treatment options for frequent urination, overactive bladder, bladder pain, pelvic pain, and prostatitis in our office. Office procedures avoid the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.
  • We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
  • Extensive experience: Thousands of men and women have been treated successfully with Botox injections for frequent urination, tibial nerve neuromodulation, Interstim sacral neuromodulation, bladder stone removal, kidney stone lithotripsy, urethral sling, and artificial urinary sphincter.
  • Confidential and Understanding Care. We understand that most of our patients desire privacy. We see patients with a variety of urological problems. Your reason for visiting us is entirely confidential.
  • We are conveniently located within a 30-60 minute commute to men and women seeking treatment for bladder control problems, enlarged prostate, bladder cancer, urinary, and cancer treatment in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, Bronx, and New Jersey.

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Common Causes Of Bladder Infection

Bladder infections occur when bacteria enter the urethra and make their way to the bladder. The urethra is the tube that empties urine from the body. Bacteria live on the skin and in the area around the opening of the urethra. When bacteria enter the urethra, the body can usually flush them out since urine only flows one way. However, in certain situations, this natural defense fails and bacteria invade the bladder.

Women are more prone to bladder infections than men due to a shorter urethra. The female urethra is also closer to the rectum, where large numbers of bacteria live. Sexual activity, , and other factors can make bladder infections more likely. and can increase the risk as well. In men, an is a risk factor for bladder infections.

Your Bladder Control Programme

There are many things you can do in your everyday life to improve your bladder control, and reduce light bladder leakage, most of them are quick and easy and can be integrated into your day with no problems. Follow a schedule for going to the toilet as directed by your doctor. The overall aim is to gradually increase the time between visits by holding out a little longer each time.

  • Reduce or cut out caffeine , very sweet drinks and alcohol
  • Avoid constipation by eating plenty of fibre from fruit, vegies and whole grains. Dont use laxatives!
  • Drink the recommended amount of water per day
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Do pelvic floor exercises. A strong and fit pelvic floor boosts your chances of beating incontinence

Getting control begins with you keeping a bladder diary to get baseline information about your bladder function and habits. When youve kept your diary for a week, take it to your doctor or physiotherapist to discuss your bladder training program.

Some tricks and tips for hanging on

  • Roll up a small towel, place it between your legs and sit on it. The pressure on your perineum should help manage the urge
  • Contract your pelvic floor muscles
  • Take deep slow breaths
  • Take your mind off your things for a few minutes by doing something else such as making the bed, writing an email, or counting backwards from 100
  • Sit down and curl your toes
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    What The Caregiver Can Do

    • Encourage or help the patient with appropriate skin care after using the bathroom. Use warm water and pat the area dry.
    • Help the patient keep a diary that records specific foods or drinks that may affect how frequently the patient goes to the bathroom.
    • Help the patient maintain a bladder or bowel plan.
    • Encourage the patient to go to the bathroom at consistent time frames during the day, like after a meal.
    • Encourage regular daily exercise, as permitted by the health care team.

    Read Also: Side Effects Of Immunotherapy For Bladder Cancer

    What Is A Urologist

    Blog.OfferSteals.com

    Your urologist knows all about the urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra

    Urologists also treat a man’s reproductive system, which includes the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate.

    A urologist could even serve as your primary doctor if you have:

    • Long-term problems with holding your urine

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    When Should I Contact A Doctor

    • If you have any concern at all about any condition with your body
    • If you feel a bulge or lump on the outside of your vagina
    • If you have lower back pain or increased pelvic pressure that interferes with your daily activities
    • If you have irregular vaginal spotting or bleeding
    • If you experience frequent urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, difficulty urinating, frequent urination or any of the symptoms listed here that interfere with your daily routine
    • If sexual intercourse is painful or difficult

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