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Treatment for urinary or fecal incontinence problems is
available at the Continence Center at Northwest Hospital.
Incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements
or urination. The loss of urine or loss of stool can be embarrassing and
stressful. Although incontinence is more common in older people, illness and
injury can cause this problem in adults of any age.
Many people who experience bowel (fecal) or urinary
incontinence do not realize that this is a medical problem that could be
improved with treatment. At the Continence Center, a complete medical assessment
to determine the cause of incontinence is an important step to finding the best
treatment possible.
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Fecal
Incontinence
Aging can
sometimes cause incontinence. Chronic medical problems like diabetes, multiple
sclerosis and spinal cord injuries can cause this problem at any age. In women,
muscle and nerve damage from difficult childbirth is one of the most frequent
reasons for loss of bowel control. Some injuries may not cause symptoms until
many years later.
Fecal
incontience may be accompanied by other bowel troubles such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating
and abdominal cramping.
Urinary
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence
is an increasingly common and bothersome problem, and there are multiple
possible causes for this. As people get older, the muscles that support
the bladder, called the pelvic floor, can become weaker. Inaddtion, vaginal childbirth
can damage the muscles and nerves of the pelvis, contributing to the problem.
Neurological disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerorsis, Parkinson's,
spinal cord injury or stroke can also cause problems with urinary control.
Sometimes, incontinence is associated with changes in medications, reduced
mobility, urinary tract infections or the inability to appropriately empty your
bladder.
Gender-related conditions could also contribute to poor
bladder control. For men, enlargement of the prostate or prostate surgery can
interfere with urinary continence. For women, changes due to vaginal childbirth,
genetic predisposition, or hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead
to urinary incontinence.
A variety of leading edge treatment
options are available at the Continence Center. These vary from
injectables and slings that serve to support the bladder to nerve stimulators
and pelvic repairs. Your condition and your physician�s assessment will
determine the treatment used.
The Continence Center
The highest standards of patient care and surgical
excellence are practiced at The Continence Center at Northwest Hospital. Patient
care is personalized and confidential. Surgical suites are equipped with
state-of-the-art equipment, which allow our highly skilled medical staff to
utilize the latest techniques.
Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.
Overnight care is available for those not feeling well enough to return home
after surgery. Based on the procedure and your surgeon�s recommendations, you
may be admitted to a private room with a bath, allowing recovery to begin in a
calm, quiet and confidential atmosphere.
The Continence Center is located in the Outpatient Center
at Northwest Hospital. Free parking is available in the visitors� parking lot on
Carlson Lane. For more information about the Continence Center at Northwest
Hospital, or to schedule an appointment, call 410-601-WELL
(9355)
.
Medical Co-Directors
Justin
C. Somerville, M.D.
410-363-6664
Andrew
M. Shapiro, M.D.
410-581-8140
Address:
Northwest Hospital Center
5401 Old
Court Road
Randallstown, MD 21133
Phone: 410-601-WELL
(9355)
