Urge incontinence, or an overactive bladder, can limit your daily activities and lower your overall quality of life. At Tricounty Urology in Uniontown and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, the practice offers InterStim™, an innovative minimally invasive treatment that effectively restores bladder control. Led by fellowship-trained urologists Sunil Rayan, MD, and Mukul Patil, MD, Tricounty Urology provides results-driven urological care. To find out if InterStim is right for you, request an appointment by phone or online today.
InterStim Q & A
What is an overactive bladder?
Patients who have an overactive bladder experience a sudden urge to urinate, which can lead to an involuntary loss of urine. When the bladder fills, nerve signals send messages to your brain that trigger the need to urinate. When these signals aren’t functioning properly, they may trigger the urge to urinate even when there’s little urine in your bladder.
Several factors contribute to an overactive bladder, including neurological disorders, certain medications, and conditions like diabetes that can impact nerve functions.
The symptoms of an overactive bladder include:
If your condition doesn’t respond to conservative treatment like pelvic floor muscle exercises or medication, Tricounty Urology offers InterStim, an effective treatment proven to reduce urge incontinence and improve the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
What is InterStim?
InterStim is a treatment that uses nerve stimulation to regulate the signals between your bladder and brain. The nerves that control the bladder (sacral nerves) are located near the tailbone. InterStim works by sending mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves. The electrical pulses help reduce abnormal signals that are sent from the sacral nerves and reduce symptoms like frequent urination, urge incontinence, and difficulty emptying your bladder.
InterStim is an implanted device that consists of thin wires that are placed near the sacral nerves and a neurotransmitter that emits mild electrical pulses. The implant is controlled with an external handheld controller that allows you to adjust the strength of stimulation and turn the device on and off.
What should I expect from the procedure?
InterStim begins with a trial period. During the trial period, the wires are placed near your sacral nerves and attached to an external test transmitter. After you’re given medication to help you relax, one of the expert surgeons at Tricounty Urology begins the in-office procedure by numbing the area near your sacral nerve. They then use a needle to guide the thin wires into place. The in-office procedure typically lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.
The trial period typically lasts about a week. If your condition responds well to the InterStim device, a follow-up procedure is scheduled for the placement of the permanent transmitter. The transmitter is connected to the wires and placed beneath your skin.
To speak with a doctor about InterStim treatment for your overactive bladder, call the Tricounty Urology office nearest you or book an appointment online today.