Bladder Health Month

In November, the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), the American Urological Association (AUA), and other health professionals have joined together in honoring Bladder Health Month. Throughout the entire month, AUGS and the AUA encourage doctors and patients alike to spread awareness about common bladder health conditions such as urinary retention and urinary incontinence, which includes overactive bladder, urge incontinence, and stress urinary incontinence. In the United States alone, urinary incontinence affects one-third of Americans over age 40, while an estimated 33 million Americans are living with an overactive bladder condition. Symptoms associated with these conditions can be miserable to deal with on a daily basis, and patients suffering from these conditions may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about their bladder health issues.

In honor of Bladder Health Month, Alabama UROGYN is putting a spotlight on these conditions to encourage our patients to prioritize their overall bladder health.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is classified as the loss of bladder control, which results in the unexpected release - or “leaking” - of urine from the body. Urinary incontinence can have a significant negative impact on one’s quality of life. Patients can become reclusive, lose self-esteem and end up spending a “fortune” on undergarments. In addition, patients may intentionally reduce their involvement in social and recreational activities as a result of their symptoms.

Urinary incontinence has a wide spectrum of causes and risk factors:

In women, urinary incontinence can occur as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Urinary incontinence can also be linked to consuming alcohol or caffeinated drinks, as well as from taking certain medications or supplements. Risk factors associated with the condition include being overweight, having a history of urinary incontinence in the family, and tobacco use. Patients with diabetes or a neurological disorder are also at risk of developing incontinence.

There are several paths of treatment a physician may take depending on the type of urinary incontinence, the severity of symptoms, and the patient’s medical history. Changes to diet and exercise are a common treatment tactic as well as daily exercises to strengthen the urinary muscles.

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine with cough, sneeze, or exercise. If physical therapy exercises fail, there are multiple minor surgical procedures offered by Alabama UROGYN that have been life-changing for our patients curing 90% of them.

For frequency incontinence or overactive bladder, medications such as anticholinergics, as well as newer medications known as beta-agonists (myrbetriq and gemtesa) can be prescribed to patients. If these medications don’t help or the side effects from them are too bothersome, Alabama UROGYN offers more advanced therapies that are very effective for overactive bladder.

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

As the name implies, patients with overactive bladder can suffer from frequent and sudden urges to urinate and may not make it to the bathroom fast enough to avoid significant leakage. Contrary to popular belief, OAB is not just part of “getting old.” Patients with OAB will often feel the need to urinate often throughout the day or night, as well as possibly experiencing urgency incontinence that results in the unintentional leaking of urine. OAB occurs when the muscles in the bladder contract involuntarily, regardless of the volume of urine present in the bladder. Older patients are more at risk of developing OAB, as well as those who suffer from diabetes. Patients with abnormalities in the bladder such as bladder stones or tumors are also at risk of developing OAB symptoms.

Once diagnosed, patients have a variety of treatment options available, depending on their specific condition. Pelvic floor exercises and diet and exercise regimen changes are typically the first lines of treatment that doctors will implement, as these are non-invasive solutions with limited side effects. If symptoms are more severe, your physician may consider prescribing medications such as the ones listed above or utilize more advanced therapies in more extreme cases that don’t respond well to medications.

Two advanced therapies that Alabama UROGYN offers are Botox for the bladder and Sacral Neuromodulation.

Botox partially relaxes the bladder muscle for 4-8 months and is repeated approximately every 6 months as needed. It is a very effective therapy for OAB. We have had great results and significant patient satisfaction at Alabama UROGYN.

Axonics Therapy

The team at Alabama UROGYN has been recognized as one of the first Axonics National Centers of Excellence for Sacral Neuromodulation therapy. The Axonics system blocks abnormal nerve messages to the bladder which causes the debilitating symptoms, and instead only allows “normal messages” to get through. Therapy begins with a simple test performed in the office or outpatient surgery center. It is a temporary trial performed to see who will benefit from the actual treatment. The trial lasts 4 days and if it successfully treats the symptoms and the patient is satisfied, a more permanent procedure is performed. Axonics treatment is available to patients who suffer from urge incontinence, OAB, and urinary retention (inability to empty your bladder).

Following a successful trial run of the Axonics device, a long-lasting stimulator will be placed in the patient through a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. A very small implant is placed. It provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder, resulting in the restoration of normal communication between the bladder and brain that results in significant improvement of OAB and urinary incontinence symptoms.

The implant is controlled by a remote control small enough to fit on a keychain, which gives patients the ability to discreetly control the device at their convenience. It requires very little manipulation, allowing patients to simply “set it and forget it.” The Axonics therapy system is designed to work for up to 15. Many patients who have undergone Axonics therapy have found it to be “life-changing”, as it has drastically reduced their symptoms and given them the chance to experience life without the burdens of OAB and incontinence. 

To learn more about Axonics therapy, visit www.axonics.com or schedule a consultation at www.alabamaurogyn.com.