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The Center for Urogynecology of Saint Barnabas Medical Center Offers New Treatment for Overactive Bladder Livingston, NJ -- A non-surgical, office-based treatment for overactive bladder, including urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and urge incontinence, is now offered by The Center for Urogynecology of Saint Barnabas Medical Center. The new treatment uses gentle electronic pulses, called neurostimulation, to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder. According to Jeffrey Segal, M.D., Director of The Center for Urogynecology, overactive bladder affects more than 33 million Americans, many of whom can be effectively treated through neurostimulation -- specifically a therapy called Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) using the Urgent® PC Neuromodulation System. Bladder function is regulated by a group of nerves at the base of the spine. By stimulating these nerves with gentle electrical impulses, a person’s bladder activity can be changed. PTNS is an emerging office-based, minimally invasive treatment designed to indirectly stimulate the nerves responsible for bladder control using a nerve in your lower leg called the tibial nerve. While medication remains an important component for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms, explains Dr. Segal, patient compliance is often times a limiting factor either due to ineffectiveness or perceived side effects such as dry mouth and constipation. “Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation offers a novel approach for the treatment of OAB, said Dr. Segal. Application of neuromodulation therapy targets specific nerve tissue and disrupts the signals that lead to the symptoms of OAB.” This FDA-approved procedure is carried out in the office over the course of several sessions. Using the Urgent PC system to deliver the PTNS treatment, a very thin needle is inserted near the tibial nerve which is then connected to a battery powered stimulator for a period of 30 minutes. The stimulation causes impulses to travel from the tibial nerve to the base of the spine. “Many people are either too embarrassed or unaware that help is available and they suffer needlessly,” adds Dr. Segal. “Overactive Bladder and it symptoms do not have to impact the quality of a person’s life. The use of neurostimulation and PTNS offers new hope to those who are plagued by this debilitating condition.” The Center for Urogynecology of Saint Barnabas Medical Center specializes in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary stress and/or urge incontinence, overactive bladder, voiding dysfunction, fecal incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, including interstitial cystitis, lower urinary tract fistulas and other urogynecologic problems. An experienced medical team offers patients both conservative and surgical approaches. Please call (973) 322-9998 for information or an appointment. Date: January 28, 2008 Saint Barnabas Contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-5425 [ top ] |
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