Bladder Control Problems? Don’t Suffer in Silence

Urodynamics Technology Offered at South Central

“Some women think it’s a normal part of aging, and they just put up with it,” says Dr. James Langston, urologist at Jefferson Medical Associates. “As problems worsen, the condition can keep people from taking part in activities that are a normal part of living. When it starts interfering with their life, they need to seek help. I think the main thing is for women not to be afraid to discuss this condition with their doctor.”

Urinary incontinence can have a number of causes, most of them treatable, and the Urodynamics Program at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel provides a state-of-the-art way to pinpoint what’s wrong.

“In the old days, before we had Urodynamics, we had little understanding of how the bladder functioned or controlled continence and not many options to correct it,” says Dr. Langston. “The testing done at South Central today helps us determine if you need major surgery, injection therapy, pelvic floor training, or simply medication.”

The computer technology used by South Central allows medical personnel to simultaneously measure pelvic muscle function, abdominal pressure, bladder pressure, and urethral resistance to leakage. The system also includes imaging. “The technology allows us to see why someone is having a problem controlling urinary flow,” says Dr. Langston.

The Urodynamics testing is performed on an outpatient basis and the actual procedure takes, on average, one hour or less. No sedation is needed and patients are able to leave the hospital and return to their usual activities with essentially no residual effects, Dr. Langston says.

For more information about urinary incontinence, or the Urodynamics technology, call Jefferson Medical at 649-2863 ext. 1531.

t o p  o f  p a g e