Potty training is a part of childhood development that begins for most people around the age of 2 or 3 years old. At some point, just about all of us get the hang of it and don’t really think much about our bladder afterward, unless we have a new diagnosis or disease that interrupts normal function.
Symptoms like these should be addressed by a specialized urologist or urogynecologist. You can work with your provider to decide whether a specific test may be appropriate to fully evaluate the function of your bladder and pelvic floor to determine the cause of your symptoms. Then, you and your provider will develop a plan that is unique to your particular needs. This may include referral to other specialists for a holistic and comprehensive solution to your problem.
For example, once a patient has been seen by a specialized provider, they may be encouraged to participate in a bladder retraining program as part of their recovery. The intent of this retraining is to restore the bladder’s ability to hold a normal volume of urine, and to manage emptying it in a controlled manner. Often this means ensuring the muscles are working properly, with enough strength, flexibility and coordination to do their job. This is usually done under the guidance of a specialized physical therapist
One important factor related to bladder control is ensuring that the bowels are functioning as they should. If a person is constipated, the additional burden on the muscles of the pelvic floor interferes with their ability to work effectively. A gastrointestinal specialist can help ensure that the digestive system is functioning to produce stool that is easy to pass on a regular basis. Or, a colorectal specialist can help address any dysfunction to the structure of the anal passage that might be interfering with the ability to pass stool.
Other medical team members may contribute important information that will impact a person’s bladder symptoms. For example, a nutritionist is specially trained to assess any dietary factors that may be causing symptoms of bladder irritation and/or digestive dysfunction. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist can work with individuals who are experiencing social isolation, depression or difficulty in their intimate relationships because of bladder dysfunction.
Clearly there are a lot of different kinds of specialists, and each person will have unique needs related to their medical history and goals of care. Fortunately the Pelvic Health Center offers a dedicated navigator service to help you find the right specialist for your needs, and to ensure that you don’t get lost in the system, or go through a lot of unnecessary tests because of poor communication among providers.
At the Pelvic Health Center, we work to ensure our patients receive a holistic and collaborative approach to their symptoms, addressing the mind, body and spirit of all those in our care. To speak directly with our Pelvic Health Center navigator you can call (402) 717-7358. We are here to help!
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