SOCH Introduces Comprehensive Incontinence Center

 June 17, 2009

Southern Ocean County Hospital (SOCH) has announced the opening of a comprehensive Incontinence Center. The new Incontinence Center at SOCH specializes in evaluation and non-surgical treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, voiding dysfunction, pelvic pain, pelvic prolapse and bowel problems. The Center offers 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. The Center also offers specialized testing and treatment for bowel incontinence.   

Urinary incontinence and bowel 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," says SOCH colon rectal surgeon Dr. Nina Paonessa.

The comprehensive incontinence program at SOCH incorporates the expertise of specialized physicians including urologists, colon rectal surgeons and gynecologists.  Specially trained nurses are available to answer patients' questions and counsel on a variety of treatment options that 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," says SOCH urologist Dr. Charles Fernicola. "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.  The highly trained staff is knowledgeable, friendly and respects each patient's privacy," he adds. 

"The causes and risk factors for various forms of urinary incontinence vary," says Dr. Fernicola.  "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," he explains.

Similarly, the treatment approach will be tailored to the individual and the type of incontinence that has been diagnosed.  According to Dr. Fernicola 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," says Dr. Fernicola. "These nerves activate or inhibit muscles and organs that contribute to urinary control - the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles," he explains.

"At the Incontinence Center at SOCH, specialized testing is also available to provide an accurate diagnosis for bowel incontinence," says Dr. Paonessa. "Diagnostics may include health history, examination, manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency studies, ultrasound, or defecography," she says.  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 according to Dr. Paonessa 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. 

The SOCH Incontinence Center is located on the first floor of SOCH in the Endoscopy suite.  For more information call SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400. 

Date posted: 06/15/09 @ 3:37 pm

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