New Urological Procedure for Overactive Bladder available at Volunteer Community Hospital
If you have tried other techniques for overactive bladder or if you have experienced intolerable side effects from medications, sacral nerve stimulation may provide you with relief from difficulties related to symptoms of overactive bladder. This procedure is now available at Volunteer Community Hospital.
Sacral nerve stimulation may reduce urinary symptoms for many people who suffer non-obstructive urinary retention and the symptoms of overactive bladder, including urinary urge, incontinence and significant symptoms of urgency-frequency.
The InterStim neurostimulator is a surgically implanted device that stimulates your sacral nerve with mild electrical pulses. It works much like a pacemaker delivering pulses to the heart. The sacral nerve controls your bladder and the muscles related to urinary function. Sacral nerve stimulation can offer several benefits, including freedom from the embarrassment of leaks and more restful sleep without waking to urinate. Many people with sacral nerve stimulation have reported improved quality of life and freedom to live without worry of leaks. Dr. Ahmed Hussain, board certified urologist is trained in the implantation of the device. To help discover if sacral nerve stimulation will work for you, Medtronic has created a trial assessment. You and your physician can try sacral nerve stimulation without making a big commitment. The trial assessment involves placement of a thin wire worn in your back. The wire is connected to a small stimulator, which you’ll wear on a belt. The stimulator will send mild electrical pulses through the thin wire to one of your sacral nerves and those pulses may get your bladder working the way it’s supposed to. During the trial assessment, which typically lasts 3 to 7 days, you can continue many of your daily activities with caution. For more information on this new procedure speak with your physician or contact Dr. Hussain at the Martin Specialty Clinic at 587-5321.