Page 5 - NCH NEWSLETTER NOV_FINAL

Despite What Your Mother Told You –

Incontinence Is Not Normal &

Treatment Is Available

Did you know that physical Studies show that 50 to 65 percent variety of strategies.”
therapy is a treatment option of women experience incontinence, Maconachy says that pelvic floor
for men and women who suffer but do not report it to their physicians muscles are just like any other
from the embarrassing effects of because they have been led to muscles – they need to be strong
incontinence? Television ads may try believe that it is a normal part of and need to learn to relax. They can
to convince you that this is a “normal” aging, or that it is a non-medical also be strained. “Pelvic muscles are
part of aging in order to sell more issue, or they are embarrassed. inside,” she explains, “and we need to
protection products – but the fact With a normal, healthy bladder, learn how to isolate those muscles.”
of the matter is that incontinence is bathroom visits average five to PFT is usually performed in 10 to 15
NOT a “normal” part of aging – and eight times daily, or every two to five treatment sessions, using therapeutic
Elizabeth treatment is available. hours. But seeking a bathroom every exercise, electrical stimulation,
Maconachy The NCH Briggs Outpatient place you go or when pulling into biofeedback, pelvic floor exercises
Rehabilitation Center, located 399 9th a driveway, then putting the key in and a discussion of diet and fluids.
Street N, Suite 102 in Naples, offers the door and needing to run to the In the presence of bladder
For more just such a therapeutic treatment bathroom are red flags. symptoms, an evaluation by a
program – called Pelvic Floor Therapy
Stress incontinence places stress
gynecologist or urologist is needed,
information (PFT) – that can help those who suffer on the pelvic floor and the bladder, and if other conditions are ruled out,
then a referral to physical therapy is
with stress or urge incontinence.
causing a force against the bladder
Elizabeth Maconachy, DPT, that leaks urine while doing stressful appropriate.
or make an board-certified women’s health activities like coughing, sneezing,
clinical specialist, one of only two laughing, jumping or even getting
appointment in Southwest Florida, heads up the out of a chair. Symptoms of incontinence
Urge incontinence is when you get
include losing urine when:
program.
According to Maconachy, no urine
call NCH Briggs leakage is considered normal. a sudden urge to urinate and you • Sneezing
can’t hold it while trying to get to a
Incontinence is defined as unwanted restroom. Not considered normal, it • Coughing
Outpatient leakage of urine, regardless of can be improved through Pelvic Floor • Laughing
volume. More common in women Therapy. • Jumping
Rehabilitation – or in men after prostate surgery musculoskeletal assessment of the • During heavy physical
“With PFT, we first do a
– incontinence can afflict people of
Center at any age; children with bed-wetting, whole body and the pelvic floor,” activity
explains Maconachy. “We then
teens, females in pregnancy or after
• Getting out of a chair
menopause, to those in their 70s and custom-tailor a plan of treatment to • Needing to go to the
(239) 624-1600. beyond. the individual’s unique needs, using a bathroom urgently

Everything You Need to Know About MRI

T here aren’t too many people nowadays model and lot number. to their normal activities. A radiologist,

specially trained in reading MRI scans,
who have not heard the term “MRI,” many
On the day of the test, patients will need to
with a vague understanding that it is
findings to your doctor. It usually takes a
some sort of an X-ray diagnostic test. remove all removable metal from their body, will study the scans and report his or her
because metals can become projectiles
But Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) when subjected to the powerful magnets. week or two for patients to be notified of the
isn’t actually an X-ray at all – not in the Metals can also become heated and can results.
traditional sense. Unlike X-rays and CT cause burns.
scans, which emit radiation, an MRI uses Patients may get warm during the test,
powerful magnets and radio waves to make so they are advised to wear light clothing
detailed pictures of your organs, brain, or to ask for a hospital gown. Some 20 to • Before an MRI, patients must remove all
spine, joints and other body parts. 25 percent of patients will also be given a metal from their body or pockets
“If your doctor has contrast dye in the form of an intravenous • Unlike an X-ray or CT scan, an MRI does
recommended an MRI, injection, but Dr. Jadhav says there is no not emit radiation
there is a need to get reason to worry. “NCH uses the safest MRI
an in-depth look at your contrast agent,” he explains. • NCH uses the safest MRI contrast agent
condition,” says Yashodeep Lying flat on a table, patients are slid into
Jadhav, M.D., Medical the tube-like machine. Many patients feel
Director and Chairman of more comfortable wearing an eye mask; or,
NCH Radiology. if you are claustrophobic, your doctor can
Prior to scheduling an prescribe medicine to relax you before your
MRI, patients will need to appointment. Patients must lie still during an
complete a screening questionnaire to be MRI, which typically takes about 30 minutes.
sure they are eligible for the test. Patients Because MRI machines make loud banging
should tell the technician if they have a noises, technicians can provide ear plugs or
pacemaker, metal joints, pins or screws, ear phones connected to music. Patients can
fillings or dental work, artificial heart valves, also talk to the technician throughout the
hearing aids, drug pumps, medication procedure if they have any questions.
patches, body piercings, tattoos, or an After the MRI, patients can usually return
implanted nerve stimulator. Patients who
have implanted medical devices should
be prepared to provide the device’s make,

For more information about MRI, NCH recommends you
contact your primary care physician. If you do not have

a primary care physician, call (239) 624-8106 to make an
appointment with an NCH Physician Group doctor.
Or, visit www.findanNCHdoctor.org.