The Incontinence Center

at SOCH

There is no reason for people to suffer from incontinence when help is available!

At The Incontinence Center at SOCH we specialize in evaluation and non-surgical treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, voiding dysfunction, pelvic pain, pelvic prolapse and bowel problems. We offer specialized testing and treatment to evaluate the lower urinary tract and provide accurate diagnosis that increases the chances of successful treatment for urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunctions. We also offer specialized testing and treatment for fecal incontinence. 

Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence will affect one fourth of adults at some point in their lives.  Left untreated these conditions can cause physical discomfort, embarrassment, stigma and social isolation affecting quality of life.  But there is no reason for people to suffer from these conditions when help is available.

Our comprehensive incontinence program at SOCH incorporates the expertise of specialized physicians including urologists, colon and rectal surgeons and gynecologists.  Specially trained nurses are available to answer your questions and counsel on a variety of treatment options that our patients can then discuss further with their physician.  In addition specially trained SOCH physical therapists will provide biofeedback and specialized therapeutic exercises in private treatment rooms.  Patients may also be referred to nutritional counselors as necessary.

This multidisciplinary approach provides each patient coordinated and timely care in one comprehensive center.  The specialized tests performed in the Center are painless and provide vital information to assist in designing an individualized treatment program unique to each individual’s needs.  Our highly trained staff is knowledgeable, friendly and respects your privacy. 

What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is a medical condition that is common but rarely discussed.  Urinary incontinence is the involuntary release of urine and can take several forms – urge, stress, reflex, overflow and functional. Most incontinence is caused by genetic or life event factors such as obesity, smoking and childbirth. 

• Stress incontinence is the most common form of incontinence and with this condition urine leaks following activities like exercise, coughing, laughing, or sneezing.

• Urge incontinence is the sudden, frequent uncontrollable urge to urinate.
• Reflex incontinence is the leaking of urine without one realizing it.  People with this disorder usually don’t sense that their bladder is full.
• Overflow incontinence is the inability to completely empty the bladder causing the person to feel the urge to urinate frequently but able to void only a small amount of urine.
• Functional incontinence is the inability to physically get to a toilet in time.

The causes and risk factors for each of these forms of urinary incontinence vary.  At the SOCH Incontinence Center specialized diagnostics will determine which type of incontinence a patient has.  This testing may include such things as keeping a bladder diary, measuring post-void residual urine volume, urodynamic testing, a cystoscopy, and a bladder stress test.

Similarly, the treatment approach will be tailored to the individual and the type of incontinence that has been diagnosed.  Therapies may include Kegal exercises,  biofeedback, urinating on a schedule, barriers or pads, medications and in some cases surgery or a special technique known as InterStim therapy.

InterStim Therapy is a reversible treatment that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the lower back, just above the tailbone.  These nerves activate or inhibit muscles and organs that contribute to urinary control – the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. 

What is Fecal Incontinence?
Fecal incontinence is the decreased ability to control stool or gas.  It can range in severity from mild difficulty with gas control to severe loss of control over liquid and formed stool.  The many potential causes for fecal incontinence are often difficult to diagnose but some causes may be injury during childbirth, anal operations or injury to surrounding tissues, infections around the anal area, aging, diarrhea, tumor of the rectum, rectal prolapse, or other disease. 

At the Incontinence Center at SOCH, specialized testing will be available to provide an accurate diagnosis.  Diagnostics may include health history, examination, manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency studies, ultrasound, or defecography.  Manometry measures pressure as anal muscles are relaxed and tightened.  Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency studies determine if nerves going to the anal muscles are functioning.  Ultrasound can provide a picture of the muscles showing any injuries of the anal muscle.  Defecography evaluates the function anal rectal area during defecation.

An individualized treatment program will follow the diagnostics and may include dietary changes and/or medications to increase the firmness of the stool.  Kegal exercises or pelvic floor muscles exercises may be used to increase anal muscle strength.  Biofeedback is often used to assist in learning how to do these exercises.  Treatment may also in include surgery to repair anal muscles.

Our Staff

Our knowledgeable staff will be there for you at the SOCH Incontinence Center to answer your questions, guide you through any recommended diagnostics and follow you through your course of treatment.   Participating physicians include board certified urologists, colon rectal surgeons and gynecologists.  SOCH gastroenterologists are also available at the Center for consultations.  And, patients will have access to nutritional counselors, behavioral health providers and physical therapists as deemed necessary for their treatment plan.

Contact us today for More Information

The SOCH Incontinence Center is located on the first floor of SOCH in the Endoscopy suite.  Your physician can refer you to the Center or you can call SOCH Connect if you need a physician.

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