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Urologic Conditions

• Infertility
• Impotence
• Kidney Stones
• Incontinence
• Prostate Cancer
• Brachytherapy
• Prostatic Hyperplasia
• Urinary Infections
• Vasectomy

The loss of bladder control is a condition known as urinary incontinence (UI).

Over 13 million American men and women of all ages suffer from this condition, which causes them to leak urine. Urinary incontinence is not a disease, but instead a sign that a problem exists in the urinary tract. It is considered an important condition to treat, because it can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, depression and dependence.

There are six main types of urinary incontinence:

• Stress: losing urine involuntarily during certain physical activities: coughing, laughing or sneezing; lifting; walking or performing other forms of exercise; moving to get up from a chair or out of bed.
• Urge: inability to control the sudden urge to urinate. A large amount of urine may be released. Urge incontinence may occur after a sudden change in position or activity.
• Mixed: a mixture of stress and urge incontinence.
• Overflow: failure of the bladder to empty normally. The bladder remains at least partially full, and small amounts of urine are leaked on a nearly continuous basis.
• Neurogenic: related to defects in the nervous system, which conducts urination signals between the bladder and the brain. Patients may have severe, total incontinence
• Post-prostatectomy: occuring after prostate surgery; may take the form of stress and/or urge incontinence.

Although urinary incontinence may occur at any age, it is more common in women and in older individuals (roughly one-half of elderly nursing home patients are incontinent). Women may develop incontinence during pregnancy or childbirth and during menopause. Older men may lose bladder control following. prostate surgery. A number of other factors may lead to incontinence, such as urinary tract infections, injury to the pelvic region (lower trunk of the body) or spinal cord, caffeine consumption, or the use of medications, including over-the-counter preparations such as diet pills.

Because of the embarrassment of urinary incontinence, fewer than half of all people with the condition seek help. Yet urinary continence can be improved in 8 out of 10 cases. So, if you are having trouble with incontinence, call us for an appointment. Even if your incontinence cannot be cured completely, it is likely that it can be managed with new medical devices and products that can eliminate embarrassment and discomfort. Before treatment can begin, it is vital to know which type of urinary incontinence a patient has.