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Rehabiliation

Continence Rehabilitation

Incontinence is the inability to control urinary and bowel functions. It is a condition that can virtually paralyze your life because the effort to maintain secrecy becomes more important than enjoying a fulfilling life. Independence, dignity and self-esteem are diminished.

Some of the different types of incontinence are:

• Stress Incontinence, which consists of the leaking of urine from exercise, sneezing, laughing, coughing, lifting heavy objects or other body movements that put pressure on the bladder. This is the most common type of incontinence and is almost always treatable.
• Urge Incontinence, identified by the loss of urine as soon as you feel a strong urge to go to the toilet.
• Overflow Incontinence, or the leakage of urine from an always full bladder. In older men, this also results from blocked urine flow from the bladder.
• Functional Incontinence, which occurs in people who have urine control, but have difficulty reaching a toilet in time because of arthritis or other physical limitations.
• Bowel Incontinence, or the inability to completely control bowel functions.

Who is affected?

Ten million Americans suffer from incontinence, and the majority are women. Many people associate incontinence with aging, but the reality is that incontinence is not a problem which afflicts only the elderly. One in four women age 30-59 have experienced an episode of urinary incontinence.

Causes

Most incontinence results from weakened pelvic floor muscles and the accumulation of stress on these weakened muscles. Examples include pregnancy, childbirth, lifting and chronic constipation. Certain medications, caffeine and alcohol consumption may magnify lack of control.

Incontinence Risk Assessment

If you answer yes to any of these questions you may be experiencing a urinary problem.

1. Do you ever leak urine when you don't want to?
2. Do you urinate more than seven times per day?
3. Do you urinate fewer than five times per day?
4. Do you ever feel the strong need to urinate with little or no warning?
5. Do you ever experience burning, pain, discomfort or pressure in your bladder?
6. Do you ever feel you do not fully empty your bladder after urinating and need to return to the bathroom shortly after?

Help is Available!

Treatment Program

The first step to help yourself is to see your doctor, or be seen by the nurse practitioner in the Women's Health Center. He or she will discuss options with you including medication and therapy.

Community Memorial's Rehabilitation staff members have advanced training for continence and pelvic pain rehabilitation for adults and children. They have established an 85 percent success rate since 1991 for treating patients with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

When you are referred to Community Memorial's Continence and Pelvic Pain Rehabilitation Program, occupational and physical therapists specially trained in treating patients with pelvic floor muscle dysfuction will evaluate you. The therapists will design an individualized treatment plan to address your specific needs, including instructions in self-management of your condition. All treatment is provided in a private setting.

Treatment Options

The health care professionals in the Continence Rehabilitation Program will discuss your problem with you, help your doctor identify the cause and determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options depend on the cause of the problem and may include:

• Education of anatomical structures within the pelvis.
• Education of proper bladder health.
• Education on proper posture/body mechanics to avoid strain on your pelvic floor.
• Pelvic floor muscle re-education and strengthening through the use of biofeedback and exercise.
• Therapeutic soft-tissue and joint mobilization.
• Pain management.
• Self-help strategies and home exercise instruction.

Treatment varies, depending on your needs. You can expect four to six therapy visits over six to 12 weeks. During your treatment, you will learn home exercises as part of your program. Individuals most committed to following the program recommendations have the best results.

How to Get Treatment

If you notice symptoms of incontinence or pelvic pain, see your doctor or contact Community Memorial Hospital's Women's Health Center at 262-257-5000 for a consultation. The doctor or nurse practitioner will need to provide a written prescription for the hospital's Continence and Pelvic Pain Rehabilitation Program.

You have the right to choose your therapy provider. Community Memorial Hospital is an in-network provider for most major insurance plans, including Medicare.

Some insurance companies may require authorization before you begin the program. Contact your insurance company before your first visit to verify coverage and co-pays if applicable.

After you have obtained a prescription, call Community Memorial's Physical Medicine Department at 262-257-3080, to schedule an appointment.

For more information about Community Memorial Hospital's Continence and Pelvic Pain Rehabilitation Program, call the Physical Medicine Department at 262-257-3080.

We look forward to working with you!