There are many ways to manage bladder control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.
"What is happening to me?"
If you’re experiencing symptoms of bladder control problems, it’s time to meet with a bladder control specialist. Your doctor may ask you to fill out a symptom diary to get a better idea of your daily experience and confirm your diagnosis.
SYMPTOMS OF OVERACTIVE BLADDER (OAB) INCLUDE:
SYMPTOMS OF URINARY RETENTION INCLUDE:
"What should I try first?"
Conservative treatments can help some people, but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.
"Are there medications for OAB?"
When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms, but may cause other issues.
You have to remember to take these medications every day. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, and hypertension. Other side effects are more serious. In fact, limited study data suggests that one class of drugs for OAB (anticholinergics) may increase risk of dementia in elderly people.1
Even more important, these medications don’t always work. In one survey, 72 percent of people said they stopped taking their medication after just six months.2
If both lifestyle changes and medications fail to improve bladder control, there are non-medication treatment options to consider.
MEDTRONIC BLADDER CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE INTERSTIMTM SYSTEM
If you’re ready to try an advanced approach, Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ system can help. It targets the nerves that control your bladder to help it function normally again.
Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks. Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with the information regarding how to operate the test device, and inform you of other precautions related to the evaluation and activity restrictions.
MEDTRONIC BLADDER CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE NUROTM SYSTEM
Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the NURO™ system targets the tibial nerve to help you regain control of your bladder. By restoring* bladder function, this therapy puts you on a path to fewer trips to the bathroom, fewer pads per day, and more of the activities you enjoy.6,7
Most common side effects are temporary and include mild pain or skin inflammation at or near the stimulation site. The NURO™ system does not treat symptoms of urinary retention.
Injected medications can temporarily treat OAB but may raise other concerns.
