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St. Anthony's urogynecologist Fareesa Khan, MD, says women shouldn't be embarrassed about this common medical problem.
Nerve Stimulation Device Effectively Treats Urge Incontinence
One of the most common chronic medical conditions seen by primary care physicians is urinary incontinence.
Affecting more than 13 million Americans, young and old alike, urinary incontinence falls into two primary categories (or a combination of the two):
Highly effective treatments are available for both types, including medications, muscle re-training, lifestyle modifications and surgical procedures, depending upon the type and severity of the problem. At St. Anthony's Medical Center, a new device to treat urge incontinence is showing great results. Called the InterStim® sacral nerve stimulator, the device generates tiny electrical impulses in the nerve leading to the muscles that regulate urinary control.
“It can work really well in the right patient, says Fareesa Khan, MD, a urogynecologist who specializes in the latest techniques to treat incontinence. “We use it in women with urge incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, and urinary retention when all other treatments have fallen short. About 80 percent of the carefully selected women that I test have a successful trial and choose to have the final implant placed.”
Dr. Khan says the device can be “tested” externally prior to implantation to gauge its effectiveness as well as to determine the exact level of electrical impulses needed for urinary control. InterStim is FDA approved and requires only local anesthesia to implant the device through a small incision in the upper buttocks.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.
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