At the Incontinence Institute, we know all too well how incontinence can rule your life. But did you know there are many products and treatments available that can change that? You can get your life back. This is the story of Melissa, a patient of ours, who is back in the swing of things after an InterStim® Therapy procedure.

Melissa is 57 years old, and leads an active lifestyle. She works full time, likes to walk, work outdoors, swim and bike. But as she aged, symptoms of incontinence started to become more and more prevalent.

Melissa started taking medication for overactive bladder and was on it for several years. Eventually, though, the medication stopped working. Her bladder issues shifted, and she felt urgency more than just frequency. The urge would hit quickly, and she felt she had no time to try and find a bathroom.

“It creates a lot of insecurities in going places,” she said. “You always want to know where the first bathroom is – the closest bathroom. You tend to cut down on your social life because you never know when you’re going to have these problems.”

Melissa took a bullheaded approach that we see all too often. She didn’t want to give in to her body, or as she put it, “I chose not to let my bladder win.” She refused to use incontinence products or pads. This is a struggle for many people suffering from incontinence – ”they do not want to let the incontinence win. Unfortunately, it is an involuntary release of urine. It is NOT mind over matter, as Melissa thought, and as many people think. There is just no controlling it, and that is a tough truth for many to hear.

Melissa grappled with telling her family, and once they knew, they were not understanding. This is another concern for people with overactive bladder. Their family members may say things like, “This is no big deal. You can hold it. You don’t have to go to the bathroom every 45 minutes. We don’t have to stop yet,” and so on. A lack of empathy can be difficult to handle, and as Melissa put it, “it really erodes [your] self-confidence and self-esteem.”

InterStim Therapy was recommended to Melissa by Dr. Naughton. This procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. InterStim is a neurostimulation device. That means it works by stimulating your body’s sacral nerves, which control bladder and bowel function. The InterStim is a very small device that is implanted beneath the skin of your pelvis, where it acts as a modulator of neurological signals, bridging the communication barrier between your brain and sacral nerve, enabling proper functionality of your bladder, bowel, sphincter and pelvic muscles.

In other words, InterStim emits electrical pulses that allow you to control your urinary and/or bowel function. As a result, your overactive bladder, urinary retention, bowel incontinence or constipation will be effectively eliminated. Melissa’s quality of life improved dramatically after her InterStim procedure.

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence or overactive bladder, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Gastric bypass surgery is a life-changing surgery. Gastric bypass includes the creation of a small stomach pouch and the construction of bypasses of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine to limit the amount of absorption of calories from food. Most of the stomach is closed off with staples.

Gastric banding is another type of bariatric surgery wherein food intake is restricted by making a small pouch at the top of the stomach where food enters from the esophagus. The pouch is very small at first (holds 1 oz. of food) but expands with time.

With both surgeries, the stomach is made to be much smaller. The way your body handles food is completely changed. You have to eat less food, and you will not absorb all the nutrition and calories from the food you do eat. After surgery, there are also risks of complications and health issues. But for many people who are morbidly obese or who have tried everything and are unable to lose weight, this surgery is the best option. The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) estimated that in 2008, over 220,000 Americans had weight loss surgery.

The health risks associated with having weight loss surgery include:

• The pouch stretching over time thus reversing the surgery
• The staples or band coming out
• Anemia, due to vitamin deficiency
• Osteoporosis or bone disease, due to calcium deficiency
• Gallstones
• Diarrhea
• Hypoglycemia
• Dumping syndrome

Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are a multitude of benefits of the surgery that include weight loss, reduced cholesterol levels, reduced symptoms or complete disappearance of type 2 diabetes, reduced or complete disappearance of sleep apnea, lower blood pressure and better overall mental health. Since morbid obesity can put extra pressure on the bladder, one other benefit is reduced stress urinary incontinence. Once enough weight has been lost, the pressure decreases. However, though urinary incontinence is markedly improved following weight loss surgery, there is a possibility that bowel incontinence can happen post-surgery.

A study in Digestive Diseases and Science, and published by the National Institute of Health, found that while diarrhea is a recognized consequence of intestinal bypass procedures, Roberson and colleagues in this issue of the journal highlight found that fecal incontinence (FI) may begin or worsen after bariatric surgery.

The main takeaways from the study are:

• Reinforcing the need to manage obese patients by an integrated team.
• Be sure to have a gastroenterologist and record any incontinence symptoms following surgery.
• Patients undergoing bariatric surgery should be asked by their physician if they have bowel incontinence before and after surgery.
• The study found that a majority of patients with fecal incontinence will not disclose the symptom to their physician unless asked.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Urinary and Fecal incontinence

Another study by the same medical team, conducted at University of Wisconsin, had a similar outcome. The study was conducted with the cooperation of over 400 men and women who underwent bariatric surgery. The study found that prior to weight loss surgery, 72% of women suffered from urinary incontinence. After surgery, 39% of the women said their urinary incontinence symptoms improved. Prior to surgery, 48% of women and 42% of the men reported bowel incontinence. Following surgery, 55% of the women in that group, and 31% of the men said their bowel symptoms worsened. The study concluded that incontinence and weight loss surgery are linked, and symptoms of bowel incontinence seem to worsen after surgery.

Traditionally, incontinence is thought of as an older person’s health issue. Many do not realize that incontinence can affect you no matter your age. Incontinence is more likely to happen to elderly people, because muscles weaken as you age, and because many times the elderly may have mobility issues and are not able to make it to the restroom. Incontinence is also prevalent in those with dementia.

For women, childbirth can be a cause of incontinence. Some women may not experience incontinence due to childbirth until years later. Pelvic floor muscles can be damaged during childbirth but symptoms of incontinence may be absent until women age more and the muscles weaken over time.

The results of a study published in the December 2013 edition of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms have recently come out with information that may be surprising. Turkish researchers found that incontinence affects 1 in 3 pre-menopausal women. The study included 690 women age 18-53 with a mean age of 35.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 27.2%. Of these women with incontinence, 36.7% were classified as stress incontinence, 32.4% as urge incontinence and 30.9% as mixed incontinence. Stress incontinence is the inability to hold urine in the bladder triggered by stress caused by sneezing, laughing, or coughing. Stress incontinence may also result from lifting heavy objects. Urge incontinence, also known as an overactive bladder, occurs when there is a sudden, uncontrolled “urge” to urinate. Mixed incontinence is characterized by a mix of symptoms from stress and urge incontinence.

The study found that three factors emerge as significant predictors of any form of urinary incontinence: age greater than 35, no education beyond primary school, and having had three or more children. Having a body mass index (BMI) of over 25 was a risk factor for incontinence. Calculate your BMI here.

The authors of the study noted that it is difficult to get accurate data about urinary incontinence, especially in pre-menopausal women. They said that the strength of this study is that it was conducted with self-reported data in the form of questionnaires, rather than clinical or physical examination.

Incontinence is more common than people think. If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, contact us or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Urinary retention is technically the opposite of overactive bladder, but some of the symptoms are similar. Are you constantly running to the restroom but nothing is coming out? Are you unable to tell when your bladder is full? Do you wake up more than two times per night to go to the bathroom?

Then you may be suffering from urinary retention. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), it is the inability to completely or partially empty the bladder. Symptoms vary but generally you may be unable to start urination, or unable to fully empty your bladder if you do start urinating. You may also feel frequent urges, but have no success when you get to the toilet.

There are two types of urinary retention: chronic urinary retention and acute. With chronic urinary retention, you may be able to urinate but it can be difficult to start or your bladder just does not empty completely. Acute urinary retention is the inability to urinate at all, and it is classified as a medical emergency. The treatment for acute urinary retention is catheterization.

Chronic urinary retention is treated in different ways depending on the cause. There are two types of chronic urinary retention, obstructive or non-obstructive. Non-obstructive is more common and could be caused by stroke, childbirth, pelvic injury, damaged nerves or brain or spinal cord damage. Non-obstructive urinary retention can be caused by weak bladder muscles and nerve damage that interferes with the signals being sent from the brain to the bladder to either hold in or release urine.

Obstructive urinary retention is caused by cancer, kidney stones or enlarged prostate. In older men, enlarged prostate is the main culprit of urinary issues. The prostate can obstruct the bladder, and if left untreated the prostate will press against the bladder and weaken muscles, leading to myogenic bladder, or bladder failure.

Are you suffering from frequent urges, leaks, or other urination issues, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

Over the years of pulling all-nighters studying or waking up at all hours to soothe crying babies, you have become accustomed to coffee in the morning. It helps you wake up and is a tradition. But, if you suffer from incontinence, it may be time to think about replacing that cup of joe with something more friendly on your digestive system and bladder.

Caffeine is a diuretic and can contribute to incontinence. For that reason, physicians recommend that any individual experiencing bladder incontinence avoid coffee. Unfortunately, black tea, soda and other caffeinated beverages are not much better. There is caffeine content in soda, and the carbonation can irritate the bladder.

A study published in The Journal of Urology found that men who consumed two cups of coffee per day, or that equivalent amount of caffeine, are significantly more likely to have urinary incontinence or a leaky bladder than men who drink less coffee or none. The study was authored by Alayne D. Markland of the University of Alabama.

The background notes for the study reference several other studies that have already established a link between caffeine intake and urinary incontinence in women. Until this point, information on such a connection in men was limited. Research studies have shown that for women, caffeine intake contributes to bladder incontinence. ”Women who consume high levels of caffeine are 70% more likely to have urinary incontinence than women who don’t,” said Jon Gleason, MD, an instructor and fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School’s Division of Women’s Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

This particular study included 5,000 American men age 20 and up. The analysis showed that men who consumed 234mg or more of caffeine were 72% more likely to have moderate to severe urinary incontinence than men who consumed less or none. Men who had 392mg or more of caffeine were more than twice as likely to have bladder incontinence and leaks.

The final finding of the study was that caffeine consumption equivalent to approximately 2 cups of coffee per day (250mg) is significantly associated with moderate-severe urinary incontinence (UI) in US men.” The study called for further studies to investigate this link. Although coffee intake is not the only cause of men’s bladder incontinence, it certainly can be counted as a contributing factor.

In contrast, men’s total water intake was not linked to their risk for moderate to severe UI. The best beverage to drink is water overall, for hydration and water will not irritate the bladder.

Green tea is another option, and may be the best hot drink for incontinence sufferers. An Australian study found that women who drank more green tea had less symptoms of urinary incontinence.

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, try experimenting with less coffee and caffeinated beverages. If symptoms continue, contact us. There are many options available to treat incontinence. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 1-800-771-1953 to learn more.

Maybe you’ve heard of InterStim® Therapy before and are wondering about it, or maybe this is the first you’ve heard of it. Either way, InterStim is something that we offer at the Incontinence Institute and it has helped many people get their lives back from the embarrassment and anxiety of incontinence. So what is it?

InterStim Therapy is a neuromodulation therapy that targets the communication issue between the brain and the nerves that control the bladder. What exactly does this mean? InterStim is a small device implanted beneath the skin of your pelvis. It acts as a modulator of neurological signs-bridging the communication barrier between your brain and sacral nerve, which enables proper function of bladder, bowels, sphincter and pelvic muscles. InterStim emits electrical pulses that allow you to control your urinary or bowel function. As a result, your overactive bladder, urinary incontinence or bowel incontinence will be effectively eliminated.

InterStim treats both bladder and bowel incontinence. For those who have safety concerns, InterStim is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and over 100,000 people have been treated with InterStim. It is revolutionary in its reliability and safety. InterStim is implanted in a minimally invasive procedure, and it’s even reversible.

The first step in treating incontinence is to see a physician. They can help you go through your treatment options, and see if you are a candidate for InterStim. There is a trial evaluation for InterStim, which allows testing to find out whether or not InterStim will work for you. A temporary device is inserted by your physician, and you will have it up to 14 days and see how it works. Your physician can help you determine if InterStim is the best course of treatment for you.

If you are suffering from urinary or bowel incontinence, contact us to schedule a consultation. There are a variety of treatment options available, surgical and non-surgical, and our expert physicians work with you to find the right treatment for your specific symptoms. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 1-800-771-1953 to learn more.

Incontinence affects millions of Americans, but most people do not want to talk about it. Despite how common, incontinence can be an embarrassing issue and it is somewhat taboo. We are here to change the conversation and correct misconceptions. Since so much information about it is passed on by word of mouth, there is misinformation out there about incontinence. Check out Myths about Incontinence, Part 1 to see some other myths.

Myth #1: It’s no big deal, it’s not that serious.

False. Having incontinence is a big deal. It can mean embarrassment in public, or at work. Incontinence can make you want to avoid leaving the house, social interaction and intimacy. It can lead to skin irritation, anxiety, loneliness and even depression. Incontinence can negatively affect your quality of life to the point where it controls your life. This is your life and health – you should seek help if you are having bladder or bowel leaks. The truth about incontinence is that it is a health issue that should be taken seriously, and it can be remedied.

Myth #2: It only happens to the elderly.

False. Incontinence can strike young mothers, childless women, teenagers and men. Another common misconception is that urinary incontinence only affects women. But really, bladder and bowel incontinence can affect men and women alike, and people of all ages. Incontinence is more likely to happen to elderly people, because muscles weaken as you age, and because many times the elderly may have mobility issues and are not able to make it to the restroom. Incontinence is also prevalent in those with dementia.

And it’s true that male incontinence is less common than female incontinence, but it happens to millions of men. One of the main causes for male incontinence is prostate removal as part of treatment for cancer.

Myth #3: No one else understands, so you can’t tell anyone.

Unfortunately, this is a widely held misconception. People suffering from incontinence do not tell their spouse, their friends, and try to hide it as best they can. However, it is a fact that incontinence affects over 30 million Americans. And, this number may even be larger than reported because so few people report it. Incontinence is more prevalent than you may think. It’s just that people aren’t talking about it. It may benefit you to swallow your embarrassment and bring it up with those close to you. They are probably concerned about your behavior, and try to understand and help you. Or, if you suspect a loved one is suffering and you don’t know how to bring it up, here’s how to talk about it.

There is a perceived stigma associated with incontinence. We are taught from a young age to go to the bathroom on our own, and control our urges to go. But when you have incontinence, you are unable to control the urges. It is a health issue, not a control issue – you can’t control it. But you can get help for it.

At the Incontinence Institute, we want to start the conversation and keep it going. Incontinence is a health issue, and it’s treatable. Many people do not even tell their physician about their symptoms. It is important to bring it up with your primary care physician or contact us to set up an appointment. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 1-800-771-1953 to learn more.

You’re stuck in traffic on the interstate, en route to see your kids or grandkids for the holidays. Or maybe you’re waiting and waiting on a delayed flight at the airport. Both are inconveniences. But for someone with incontinence, these likely holiday scenarios are much more than a minor inconvenience. They ruin a trip, or cause one to be canceled. They contribute to the anxiety and shame caused by incontinence.

Holiday travel is a necessary evil for many people in the United States. But for the estimated 30 million Americans suffering from incontinence, the long waits without constant access to a restroom can be a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are the top tips for surviving holiday travel with incontinence:

1. Plan, plan, plan – In the days leading up to your travel, keep a voiding diary. This is a journal where you will record what you drank and ate, and when you went to restroom or had urges. It may give you some important clues as to when to plan your bathroom breaks (if possible) and what to avoid.

2. Wear incontinence undergarments – Many people suffering from incontinence are resistant to using incontinence undergarments. But for situations such as traveling, they are a good backup to have. Many newer incontinence products are less bulky and noticeable, and can provide a level of assurance.

3. Avoid caffeine – You may reach for that cup of coffee to get ready for your early morning flight, but resist the urge. Caffeine is a diuretic and can contribute to incontinence. Plus the carbonation in soda can irritate the bladder. Water is the best thing you can drink.

4. Stay hydrated – This seems counterintuitive. Maybe you should just avoid drinking anything in order to avoid instances of incontinence. But, avoiding drinking can be worse for you. If you don’t stay hydrated, your urine becomes concentrated. Concentrated urine caused by dehydration can irritate the lining of the bladder and urethra and actually worsen incontinence.

These tips can help to keep you feeling good during travel. Unfortunately, incontinence has a mental toll as well as physical. It can be emotionally taxing to think about being stuck without a bathroom for hours, or the possibility of a potential accident. Incontinence Institute patient Sharon knows this feeling all too well. She canceled a trip with her husband the morning they were supposed to depart. Sharon said, “You’re just stuck. You feel shut down you’re afraid to go anywhere. You’re afraid to live your life from day to day.”

But, there is help. Consider the above tips to help get you through the tip. If incontinence symptoms are interfering with your everyday life, contact us or call our dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

You know what incontinence is – in fact, you experience it. But do you know why it’s occurring? Did you know it can be pinpointed down to a specific cause? And that cause is the pelvic floor muscles.

What are pelvic floor muscles exactly? Men and women have a pelvic floor. For women, it is the muscles, ligaments, tissues and nerves that support the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum, and help these pelvic organs function. For men, it is the muscles, tissues and nerves that support the bladder, rectum and pelvic organs.

Women experience pelvic floor disorders more than men. Some quick statistics from the National Institute of Health (NIH), pelvic floor disorders affect:

· 10% of women age 20-39

· 27% of women age 40-59

· 37% of women age 60-79

· Nearly 50% of women age 80 and over

According to the NIH, pelvic floor disorders result when the muscles and connective tissue within the pelvic cavity weaken or are injured. Women are at a higher risk for this happening due to childbirth. However, the symptoms may not present themselves right away. Pelvic floor muscles can be damaged or weakened during childbirth, but the weakening may not be evident until menopause or later.

The 3 main pelvic floor disorders:

1. Urinary incontinence

2. Bowel incontinence

3. Pelvic organ prolapse

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine from the bladder. There are a few different types of urinary incontinence. This includes urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, which is a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate. Stress incontinence is the inability to hold urine which is triggered by sneezing, laughing, coughing and exercise, and mixed incontinence which is symptoms of both types. There are other types of incontinence stemming from a stroke, operations, or medications but the most common types are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Bowel incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements. It includes passive incontinence, which is the involuntary discharge of stool or gas without awareness. Urge incontinence is the uncontrollable discharge of stool or gas despite attempts to control it, and fecal seepage. Pelvic floor injuries can also lead to bowel incontinence, which is lesser known than urinary incontinence.

Pelvic organ prolapse is when pelvic organs such as uterus, bladder and bowel collapse on the vagina. The resulting pressure can cause a bulge through the vaginal canal. This can be uncomfortable and make any physical activity difficult.

There are a variety of treatments available for pelvic floor disorders. The course of treatment depends on each individual case and symptoms, but it can include anything from physical therapy to medication to minimally invasive surgery.

If you think you are suffering from pelvic floor disorder, contact us. Or call our dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.

It is a widely cited fact that incontinence is more common in women – but why? What are the reasons for incontinence affecting more women than men? What are the types of bladder incontinence that mainly affect women?

Millions of Americans suffer from bladder incontinence. It does affect men, but women are more likely to have it than men. First, let’s take a step back and explore the 3 main types of urinary incontinence:

1. Stress Incontinence – Stress incontinence is the inability to hold urine in the bladder triggered by stress caused by sneezing, laughing or coughing. Stress incontinence may also result from lifting heavy objects. The muscles of the bladder become weak, and when there is pressure against the bladder, leakage occurs because the muscles cannot hold it in.

2. Urge Incontinence – Urge incontinence, also known as an overactive bladder, occurs when there is a sudden, uncontrolled urge to urinate. Overactive bladder is a type of urge incontinence.

3. Mixed Incontinence – Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence and causes sudden involuntary leakage, or leakage caused by exertion, sneezing, coughing or laughing.

All three of these have varying causes. But the number one cause is weakened pelvic floor muscles. How do they become weakened? Childbirth, mainly. Smoking and the cough associated with years of smoking can contribute to incontinence. But the main culprit for women is childbirth. Another factor is weight gain. Obesity contributes to urinary incontinence because the added weight in the abdomen puts pressure on the pelvic floor muscles.

Childbirth is the leading cause of incontinence in women because injuries can happen to pelvic floor muscles during childbirth. The effects of these injuries may be seen right away, or they can take years to show up. During menopause, and as women age, the muscles slowly become weaker over time and the old injuries can cause incontinence. The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, and when they cannot support your bladder, the bladder drops down. You are unable to tighten the muscles that close the urethra. So during exercise, jumping, sneezing or laughing, urine leaks out because of the extra pressure on the bladder – this is the definition of stress incontinence.