Page 10 - Urological Health

2. Multichannel urodynamics involves placing very small catheters into the
urinary passage (the urethra) and into the rectum. These catheters help control
the filling of your bladder and allow us to measure the pressure in the abdomen
and in the bladder itself. This helps to assess the bladder’s response to filling, and
whether there are abnormal contractions of the bladder muscle, changes in the
flexibility of the bladder wall (called compliance), decreased capacity of the
bladder or abnormalities in how you feel when your bladder fills.

We can also combine these tests with urinary sphincter tests (called EMG)that
assess whether muscles that help control the flow of urine from the bladder are
active at abnormal times.
3. Videourodynamics are special X-rays that can be done together with
multichannel urodynamics. This allows your urologist or urogynecologist
to assess what happens to the bladder, the bladder outlet and the support
structures around the bladder during filling of the bladder and voiding.
This test is often done if you have complicated issues with urinary leakage.
Urodynamic studies, together with your physical exam and symptom assessment, can help us
determine the best diagnosis and management plan.

6. Why does my bladder hurt all the time?
UNDER REVIEW
Apainful bladderis typicallyfeltabove the pubic boneand below the navel. There maybe many
reasons why your bladder is hurting. A urinary tract infection or injury will often be associated with a
painful bladder. You may also feel burning or discomfort while voiding. If your bladder pain is due to
an infection, you will likely feel better after urination and after antibiotic treatment. An overactive
bladder will often include a sense or urinary urgency, which can be uncomfortable as well.
When there is a different kind of pain that feels unlike the typical discomfort of a very full bladder,
there may be other causes. Before deciding that the bladder is the source, your doctor will have to
rule out gastrointestinal issues (such as constipation), gynecologic issues in women (such as
endometriosis) or other issues with the skin or genitals.

Some people will continue to have a chronically painful bladder despite thorough testing that
rules out other causes. This may be due to a condition called interstitial cystitis (inflammed bladder)
or painful bladder syndrome,whichaffects women and men.Itis characterized byurinarysymptoms
of frequency and urgency,butalways withapain in the bladder,and sometimes the genitals,muscles
and other tissues of the pelvis. This pain is often made worse by certain foods and drink, and can be
made worse in some cases by sexual activity.
Interstitial cystitis may be caused by a deficiency in the protective layer of the bladder, which
causes irritation and pain when urine goes through the bladder. The causes of interstitial cystitis are
unclear, but several treatments are available.

9