BLADDER CONTROL
Don't be Embarrassed by Bladder Control Problems!
Bladder Control Updates (more information)

Precise Diagnoses of Bladder Control Problems...Uroynamics

Opus is the most advanced urodynamic system in the world today and we are proud to make Opus available to our patients.. Opus allows us to perform urodynamics.

Urodynamics is the science of diagnosing the cause of bladder control problems.  From the changes that occur in women after menopause to enlarged prostates, from back problems to changes in your anatomy over the years, there are many causes.  By identifying the cause, Dr. Pugach is able to recommend specific treatments to correct bladder control problems.

Opus has exceeded our expectations – the system is accurate, precise and helps Dr. Robert Pugach determine the cause of bladder control problems with greater skill than ever.  Working along with Opus is our biofeedback program which we can now use with more precision.  Biofeedback is a series of computer based pelvic muscle exercises that can reduce or completely eliminate certain types of incontinence (leakage) or overactive bladder problems.

In response to increasing requests for our bladder control services we have added many new evaluation and treatment times to our weekly schedule for your convenience.  Gladys Rentie, who has been working at Pacific Coast Urology for almost 10 years uses her special training to assist Dr. Pugach in performing both the urodynamic testing and biofeedback treatments.

Bladder Control Problems in Women

Bladder control is one of the most common health problems for women. In fact, as many as 15 million women in the U.S. suffer from this embarrassing condition.  It is also called “incontinence” when there is an inability to control normal bladder emptying.  The result is uncontrolled leakage of urine that occurs with movement, exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing or sudden strong urges to urinate that cannot be stopped. 

Most women are so embarrassed about their condition that they don’t discuss it with their doctor. It can occur at any age, from child-bearing to senior years. Because many women do not know that it can be cured, or have not felt comfortable discussing the problem with their doctor, they start wearing absorbent pads or limit normal daily activities to avoid leakage.   

There are many possible causes of bladder control problems, including changes in your pelvic area from pregnancy, an overactive bladder muscle, side effects of medications, back injuries and bladder infections, to name just a few.  Sometimes, difficulty with bladder control can be a sign of a more serious disease, such as cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a cure.    

 ARE YOU GOING TO THE BATHROOM TOO OFTEN?

  ü  Do you feel the sudden and uncontrollable “urge to go” during the day?

  ü  Do you have accidental leakage of urine?

 ü  Do you frequently get up at night to go the bathroom?

  ü Does your bladder control problem limit you or distract you from work or daily activities?

  ü Do you limit or restrict you social activities because of possible incontinence.

  ü Do you take or have you taken medication for your overactive bladder?

  ü Do you or have you tried behavioral training for your overactive bladder?

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR BLADDER CONCERNS?

Bladder control problems should not be considered a normal part of getting older. You have a wide range of treatment options. By identifying the precise cause of your bladder problem, Dr. Pugach is able to recommend specific treatments to correct bladder control problems.

There are many treatments available.  These include:

• Biofeedback – computer assisted exercises performed in our office intended to strengthen the urethral muscles outside of the bladder to prevent leakage.  It can also enhance your ability to stop a sudden bladder contraction to prevent urine leakage.
   

• Renessa – the newest office procedure to stop leakage in women.  Using a local anesthetic, heat is delivered to the bladder opening to re-form protein bonds to stop or reduce the leakage.
   

• Urethral slings – a tiny plastic strip is placed around the urethra to reduce or stop leakage when Renessa is not enough. 
   

• Medications – designed to send a signal to your bladder to stop frequent or sudden bladder
  contractions. 
   

• Interstim – a tiny battery that is placed under your skin to send a signal to an overactive bladder so sudden or frequent urges to urinate are stopped.  It is much more effective than medications and the initial testing for Interstim can now be done in 30 minutes in our office!

You can return to a more active lifestyle and avoid the embarrassment and discomfort of bladder leakage.  Isn’t it time to get relief?   At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center we are ready to help you re-gain control of your life. Give us a call today! 

If you have a question about a service or procedure, please email us or call our office at (888) 735-4336.

If you would like to learn more about incontinence or overactive bladder, read: "Bladder Control - What You Should Know and Why You Should Talk to Your Doctor," by Robert Pugach, MD as printed in Huntington Beach Magazine, Huntington Beach, CA.

Bladder Control Problems in Men

When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep?  If you are like most men, that may be a hard thing to remember.  Changes in bladder function can make your activities revolve around your bathroom schedule.  From interruptions of movies or activities with friends, to limiting car rides, bladder control problems can take control your life.  The changes that men experience include more frequent urination, sudden urges to urinate, needing 2 or more trips to the bathroom just to empty your bladder and incontinence (partial or complete loss of bladder control) that can be so embarrassing that it makes some men avoid activities and social activities.

It doesn’t have to be that way.  From new medications to in-office biofeedback bladder exercises to new simple office based or outpatient procedures, help may only be a few office visits away. 

Perhaps the most important part of a bladder control problem is that it may indicate a more serious problem, such as prostate or bladder cancer.  An office visit is usually all that is needed to have a good urologic evaluation to put your mind at rest. 

At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center we are ready to help you re-gain control of your life.  Men, give us a call today! If you have a question about a service or procedure, please email us or call our office at (888) 735-4336.