Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we've been talking about the problem of overactive bladder. People with this problem feel an increased urgency to urinate, so they often have to find a bathroom fast with little warning, or they have to urinate frequently throughout the day and night.
The problem can usually be treated with behavior changes, sometimes in conjunction with medication.
Dr. Mikio Nihira, a urogynecologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says in some rare cases, surgery may be needed to help resolve the problem. One new technique uses a device like a pacemaker. It sends pulsed electricity to stimulate the nerves of the bladder. This works when there is a dysfunction between the muscles and the nerves of the bladder.
Another surgical option adds to the size of the bladder so there's more capacity.
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May 2005
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