If you’ve ever stifled a sneeze or tried not to laugh out of fear of urinary leakage, you’re not alone. Accidental urine leakage is common. Tens of millions of men and women suffer with urinary incontinence, according to the American Urological Association.
Dealing with leakage can affect everyday life, making it harder to exercise, be active or even spend an evening out. Despite the fact that it’s quite common, not many people talk about this health issue out of embarrassment.
There is good news that should be talked about. A new technique can help you better control urinary leakage and give up those bulky pads. This therapeutic procedure is already FDA approved for men and has been performed on more than 10,000 patients. It’s now being investigated for women through an FDA trial at CHI Health Urology. For both women and men, this technique is especially effective when they've had failed previous interventions.
The procedure involves implanting two adjustable silicone balloons on either side of the bladder neck to restrict the flow of urine. The balloons compress the urine outflow tract to prevent incontinence. The innovative outpatient procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, and an overnight stay is not required.
What makes this procedure unique is the ability to adjust the device after implantation. During adjustment visits, the implanted balloons are tailored to each person’s individual needs. A small needle is inserted into the port to add or remove fluids from a titanium filling port – making it tighter around the bladder neck as needed. Optimal results are generally achieved in three to four adjustment visits.
The device does not need to be manipulated by patients at any time and offers long-lasting results. If needed, it can also be easily removed in just 5 to 10 minutes in a physician’s office. This procedure is typically offered when conservative treatments fail to provide adequate control. Patients who are candidates for this approach include:
To find out if this technique is right for you, talk to your provider or contact our office at (402) 717-2500.
At CHI Health Urology, a dedicated team is available to help you navigate the entire process and achieve the best possible results.
Discharge data from US emergency rooms have shown an increase in walking pneumonia among all age groups this year. The increase was highest among children ages 2 to 4, and prompted an alert from the Centers for Disease Control.
Read More
Is it considered abnormal to have discomfort as your bladder empties, or to have difficulty emptying completely? Let our experts help.
Read More
Working with a Urologist to fully evaluate the function of your bladder and pelvic floor can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and bladder issues.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.