Urinary Incontinence Singapore: Will Seeing A Urologist Help?
Urinary incontinence is when you unintentionally leak urine. It can occur due to weakened pelvic muscles, hormonal changes, or nerve damage. Seeing a specialist doctor is crucial. The specialist doctor can assess your condition, often through tests, to determine its cause. Then, the specialist doctor will tailor a treatment plan, which may involve pelvic exercises, medications, or in severe cases, surgery. See the full list of your treatment options on this page: https://aareurology.sg/suffering-from-stress-incontinence-heres-how-to-treat-it-in-singapore/. The expertise of a specialist doctor does not only ensure that you receive personalized care. It also ensures that your quality of life and confidence are improved. In that case, you may wonder if a urologist is the right specialist to see for urinary incontinence in Singapore. Find out on this page.
Image source: www.pixabay.com
Do Urologists Treat Urinary Incontinence?
Urologists are specialized doctors who focus on the urinary tract system. They diagnose and treat conditions related to kidneys, bladder, urethra, and male reproductive organs. Their specializations include urologic oncology (cancer), pediatric urology, and female urology. They also handle issues like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and infertility. Urologists use various methods, from medication to surgery, to manage these conditions. Their expertise ensures comprehensive care for urinary health. But, do urologists also treat urinary incontinence? Here’s the answer: Yes, urologists do treat urinary incontinence. They specialize in diagnosing and managing a range of urinary tract issues. Urinary incontinence is one of these issues. Through thorough evaluation, urologists can identify and treat urinary incontinence.
How Does A Urologist Test For Incontinence?
Diagnosing urinary incontinence in Singapore is a multi-step process. It involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and various specialized tests. The choice of diagnostic tests depends on your symptoms and the suspected underlying causes. Urologists employ a range of tests to diagnose the type and severity of incontinence. Here are some of the tests for urinary incontinence in Singapore:
- Medical History and Physical Examination: The first step in urinary incontinence diagnosis is a thorough medical history and physical examination. Your urologist will discuss your symptoms. They will also assess your medical history, and lifestyle factors. The aim of this assessment is to identify potential triggers or underlying medical conditions. A physical examination may include checking for signs of infection, pelvic organ prolapse, or neurological issues.
- Bladder Diary: Your urologist may ask you to maintain a bladder diary for a few days. This diary records when and how much urine is passed, along with details about fluid intake, urgency, and leakage episodes. This provides valuable insights into the patterns. It also helps your urologist understand potential triggers of incontinence.
- Urinalysis: A simple urine test can reveal signs of infection. Indicators like blood in the urine, or other abnormalities might hint at incontinence.
- Post-Void Residual (PVR) Measurement: This test determines how much urine is left in the bladder after urination. It’s typically done using ultrasound or a catheter. An elevated PVR can indicate an incomplete bladder emptying. This condition may be related to incontinence.
- Cystoscopy: In some cases, your urologist may perform a cystoscopy. This is a test to examine the inside of the bladder. A thin, flexible tube with a camera (cystoscope) is inserted through the urethra. This helps identify structural abnormalities, tumors, or signs of inflammation in the bladder.
- Urodynamic Testing: Urodynamic tests are a group of studies that evaluate how the bladder and urethra are functioning. These tests can include:
I. Cystometry: Measures bladder pressure as it fills and empties.
II. Uroflowmetry: Measures urine flow rate.
III. Pressure Flow Studies: Assesses pressure changes during urination.
IV. Electromyography (EMG): Measures muscle activity around the bladder and urethra. Urodynamic testing provides valuable insights into the specific type of incontinence and helps guide treatment decisions.
- Stress Test: For stress incontinence, a urologist may perform a stress test. Here, you may be asked to cough, laugh, or perform activities that increase abdominal pressure while the doctor observes for urine leakage.
- Pad Test: This test involves wearing a pre-weighed pad and then measuring its weight after a specific period to quantify the amount of urine leakage. It helps assess the severity of incontinence.
- Video Urodynamics: In complex cases, video urodynamics may be used. This test combines urodynamic testing with real-time X-ray or ultrasound imaging. This combination can give a detailed view of the bladder and urethra during filling and emptying.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: This is a non-invasive imaging technique. It can provide insights into the structure and function of your pelvic organs. This includes: the bladder and urethra.
- Pelvic Floor Assessment: In cases where pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is suspected, your urologist may recommend pelvic floor assessments. In these assessments, the urologist may assess the strength and coordination of these muscles through physical examination or electromyography (EMG).
What Will A Urologist Do For Incontinence?
When it comes to addressing urinary incontinence in Singapore, urologists employ a range of treatments tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Here are some of the things your urologist may recommend or do for urinary incontinence if you’re diagnosed with the condition:
- Use of Vaginal Cones: This method involves inserting cones of increasing weight into the vagina. You will be required to contract your pelvic floor muscles to retain the cones in the vaginal canal. This exercise aids in strengthening the pelvic floor, an essential component in managing incontinence.
- Electromagnetic Stimulation (HIFEM): Electric currents target neuromuscular tissue to modify muscle structure and stimulate the growth of new muscle fibers. This process reinforces the pelvic floor, contributing to better bladder control.
- Neurotoxin Bladder Injections: In some cases, neurotoxin injections may be administered directly into the bladder. This intervention helps relax the bladder and alleviate urge incontinence, providing relief for those experiencing this specific form of incontinence.
- Nerve Modulation: This technique involves placing a thin wire near the spinal nerve that governs bladder function. This helps regulate the signals sent to the bladder. Alternatively, a small needle may be used at the ankle to stimulate a smaller nerve linked to the spinal nerve, achieving a similar effect.
- Surgery: Reserved for severe cases of overactive bladder, surgery aims to increase bladder capacity. In extreme situations, the bladder may be completely removed and replaced with a stoma bag, providing a drastic but effective solution.
So, Should You See A Urologist For Urinary Incontinence?
Urologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions like urinary incontinence. They offer tailored solutions for effective management and improved quality of life. So yes, you should see a urologist for urinary incontinence in Singapore. To schedule an appointment with a urologist for urinary incontinence in Singapore, call or visit Dr. Fiona Wu, an experienced Consultant Urologist and Medical Director of Aare Urocare at:
Aare Urocare – One-Stop Incontinence Centre | Dr Fiona Wu | Kidney Stones Removal | UTI Vaccine Singapore
6 Napier Road #10-06 Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
+656252 4681
https://aareurology.sg/
