OVERACTIVE BLADDER

What is an overactive bladder?

An overactive bladder is, simply, a bladder that contracts too often.

It affects both men and women and is usually defined as an increase in the number of trips to the bathroom to urinate and/or stronger and more sudden sensations to empty your bladder.  In its most mild form, it can be a minor annoyance.  In it’s worst form, you can experience leakage all day long causing an embarrassing odor and skin rash that can make you avoid social activities and time with friends, a spouse, or other family members.

There are many reasons for overactive bladders, such as bladder infections, back injuries, changes in hormone levels (menopause), neurologic (nerve) conditions, excessive liquid intake, food allergies, side effects of medications you take for other medical conditions and side effects of surgical procedures (like a hysterectomy).

You know the symptoms:

• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• Sudden urges to urinate
• Unexpected loss of urine that can soil your clothes
• Odor from bladder leakage

But, why continue to suffer in silence from embarrassment and limit the activities you love?

At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center we offer the comfort and convenience of in-office testing for overactive bladder problems, so that you can avoid going to a hospital or commercial laboratory and experience the comfort and convenience of our modern offices. 

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.

Precise Diagnosis 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 -  the science of precise diagnosis of bladder control problems to help find the best solution for you.   

Opus has exceeded our expectations – the system is accurate, precise and helps Dr. 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.

Treating Bladder Control Problems

We offer a wide range of treatment options, including the latest medications, special computer-assisted bladder training exercises (biofeedback), the new Interstim© bladder pacemaker and Renessa^®.

We know how much an overactive bladder can affect your daily quality of life, and we are ready to help you find the cause and show you how you can re-gain control of your bladder.  There is no need to suffer any longer!

Here is another first!  Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center is excited to be the first in our area to offer Renessa^® , the new, in-office treatment for stress incontinence (bladder leakage) for women.  The Renessa treatment uses a small probe that Dr. Pugach passes through your urethra. There are no incisions, bandages or dressings required. Recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal post-procedure limitations.

The Renessa procedure uses radiofrequency energy (RF) to generate controlled heat at low temperatures in tissue targets within the lower urinary tract. The heat denatures collagen in the tissue at multiple small treatment sites. Upon healing, the treated tissue is firmer, increasing resistance to involuntary leakage at times of heightened intra-abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing or during exercise, thereby reducing or eliminating stress urinary incontinence.

Benefits of the Renessa^® treatment include:

•  Non-surgical, in-office procedure

•  Single treatment

•  No incisions, bandages, or dressings

•  Excellent safety profile, well tolerated

•  Can be performed using local anesthesia + oral sedation

•  Rapid recovery with minimal limitations

As solution to your bladder control problem has never been closer!!  Why wait? If you have a question about a service or procedure, please email us or call our office at (888) 735-4336.

Interstim© bladder pacemaker

We all know about heart pacemakers, but did you know that there is now a bladder pacemaker available? For years, patients and physicians have been frustrated when dealing with the effects of an overactive bladder that cannot be controlled with medication or other treatments.  Now there is a remarkable treatment available that is changing the lives of people who suffer from an overactive bladder. 

Now, there is a procedure that can put an end to your overactive bladder problem.  It was developed by a company that is a leading manufacturer of  cardiac (heart) pacemakers.  The concept is simple: to send electrical impulses to the bladder to stop it from contracting too often and uncontrollably.  The technology is remarkable – whenever your bladder tries to contract too often or without control, the pacemaker sends a signal to the bladder muscle to relax.  You won’t even know when it’s working – it’s painless!

The device is the size of a silver dollar, only a little bit thicker and is implanted under your skin.  The results can be dramatic.  At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, we have patients who have suffered from overactive bladders for years who have this procedure and regain control of their bladders and their lives almost instantly!  Imagine being able to go about your normal daily activities once again, without worrying about embarrassing episodes of bladder leakage!

If you have been frustrated with the available treatments you have tried, give us a call at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center.  We are here to help you.  We can send you more information and schedule a convenient appointment for you.  Why wait? If you have a question about a service or procedure, please email us or call our office at (888) 735-4336.