Overactive Bladder Treatment in Charleston, SC
Our urologists specialize in both surgical and non-surgical treatment for overactive bladder in the Charleston, SC area. Our urologists are specifically skilled in the placement of the InterStim® bladder neuromodulation device. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that affects many individuals who, for one reason or another, are unable to hold urine in regular quantities or for regular periods of time. OAB encompasses a variety of different symptoms, which may also exist at varying levels of severity.
If there is not a more serious condition present, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce your urgent sensations. These medications – called anticholinergics – include Ditropan, Detrol, Vesicare, Enablex, and Sanctura. When urge incontinence resists medical therapy, it may require an alternative approach such as sacral neuromodulation or pelvic floor biofeedback. Call one of our offices in the Charleston area today to find the right treatment option for your overactive bladder.
To learn more about bladder and bowel incontinence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment please watch the webinar
Treatment Options
There are many ways to manage bladder control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.
Lifestyle Changes1
Conservative treatments can help some people but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.
- Diet and exercise: Changes may include decreasing your caffeine intake and getting more exercise.
- Bladder retraining: Also called biofeedback, this involves delaying going to the bathroom and sticking to a strict schedule.
- Pelvic floor strengthening: This can be accomplished through Kegel exercises, which involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Oral Medications
When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms but may cause other issues.
You have to remember to take these medications every day. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, and hypertension.2 Other side effects are more serious. In fact, data suggests that one class of drugs for OAB (anticholinergics) may increase risk of dementia in elderly people.3 Even more important, these medications don't always work. In one survey, 72% of people said they stopped taking their medication after just six months.4
Advanced Therapies
If conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you want, you have more options.
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered by The InterStim™ System
- Try it during an evaluation
- Proven long-term relief5
Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks. Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with the information regarding how to operate the test device and inform you of other precautions related to the evaluation and activity restrictions.
Learn More About Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered by the InterStim System
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
*Medtronic Bladder Control Therapies do not treat obstructive urinary retention.
1. American Urological Association. Diagnosis and treatment of non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) in adults: an AUA/SUFU guideline. www.auanet.org/guidelines/overactive-bladder-(oab)-guideline. Accessed August 5, 2020.
2. Haab F, Castro‐Diaz D. (2005), Persistence with antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder. Int J Clin Prac, 59: 931-937.
3. Gray S, Anderson M, Dublin S et al. Cumulative use of strong anticholinergics and incident dementia. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(3):401-407.
4. Yeaw J, Benner J, Walt JG et al. Comparing adherence and persistence across 6 chronic medication classes. J Manag Care Pharm. 2009:15(9): 724-736.
5. Siegel S, Noblett K, Mangel J, et al. Five year follow-up results of a prospective, multicenter study in overactive bladder subjects treated with sacral neuromodulation. 2018; 199(1), 229-236.
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Schedule an OAB Treatment Appointment in Charleston
If you have symptoms of an overactive bladder and want to speak with our trusted experts at Lowcountry Urology to find the right treatment for you, contact one of our urology clinics in Charleston to schedule a consultation!