If you suffer from bladder or bowel incontinence, then you know it’s a sensitive subject. You might feel embarrassed or alone and, as a result, choose to leave your condition untreated. However, this can result in more serious health concerns down the line. Healthy U wants you to know that you are not alone, and that the medical staff at Griffin Hospital is here to help.
Griffin Hospital’s Center for Bladder & Bowel Control specializes in diagnosing and treating incontinence issues. After evaluating your personal situation, the staff will recommend a plan of action that may include physical therapy, dietary changes, medication or surgery.
What Causes Bladder & Bowel Incontinence?
The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue inside the pelvis that holds the organs and structures of the lower abdomen in place, affecting urological, colorectal, and sexual function.
Posterior pelvic floor compartment disorders may cause urological and colorectal problems, resulting in bladder or bowel incontinence. Bladder and bowel issues are common complaints among older adults, but may also occur for women who have had gynecological surgery and other individuals dependent on a number of factors. Nothing impacts one’s confidence, dignity, and the ability to socialize than the need to be close to the bathroom.
For more information on bladder and bowel incontinence, please visit our FAQ page.
Seeking Help
You may wish to speak with your family doctor about your problem. However, not all primary care physicians have the necessary training and experience and may simply dismiss this problem as normal aging.
In addition to the dedicated staff at the Center for Bladder & Bowel Control at Griffin Hospital, doctors who specialize in bladder and/or bowel disorders include:
- Urogyneclogist
- Ob/gyn doc that specializes in problems pertaining to a women’s pelvic floor(muscles, tissues and nerves that help control the bladder and pelvis)
- Urologist-specializes in urinary disorders of men and woman and male reproductive system
- Gastroentrologist
- Geriatrician-a medical doc that specializes in the care of older adults
Tune In!
To learn more about these conditions and some of the latest medical breakthroughs available to address bladder & bowel incontinence, watch Griffin Hospital’s Dr. John Aversa, D.O. on WTNH’s Connecticut Style (Monday, April 2, 2012, below). Dr. Aversa is a member of the Center for Bladder & Bowel Control, and is the first physician in New England to introduce a new procedure that shows promising results for patients suffering from bowel incontinence.