Treatment of incontinence in women worldwide advances with new technology
August 10, 2010 // 0 CommentsSling procedure offers new hope to women in Europe, US and around the world suffering from urinary incontinence.
The treatment of incontinence in women is an issue that is not always easy for women to discuss. However, the problem is widespread. An estimated 51 million women worldwide (17 million of them in the U.S. alone) have to deal with urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is the medical term used to describe the condition of not being able to control the flow of urine from your body. Incontinence usually occurs because the urethra cannot close tightly enough to hold urine in the bladder. It is surprising to learn how prevalent this rarely talked about condition actually is. For women over age 60, approximately 23% deal with incontinence, and the problem is more common in women than men. 50% of nursing home residents suffer from urinary incontinence. But urinary incontinence is not just a problem for older women. Between the ages of 18 and 44, approximately 24% of women experience incontinence.
Causes of incontinence
Urinary incontinence usually is caused by weakened or damaged pelvic muscles and tissue that prevent the urethra from closing tight enough to hold urine in the bladder. Some people are unable to prevent leaking urine when they cough, sneeze or exercise. Other women experience a strong urge to urinate but are unable to make it to the bathroom in time.
To determine the type and cause of urinary incontinence, doctors take a complete medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Specialists such as gynecologists and urologists may use a variety of testing methods to determine the cause and type of urinary incontinence.
There are a number of factors that contribute to incontinence in women. The most common is pregnancy and vaginal childbirth, because Weakened or damaged pelvic muscles and tissue can be the result of pregnancy and childbirth. The bladder and urethra must be well supported by the pelvic muscles and tissue to allow them to work properly. Here the surgical treatment of incontinence may be recommended, with or without muscular exercises.
The second most important predictor of incontinence is aging, which tends to worsen all forms of muscular injury and weakness, and the pelvic muscles are no exception. Certain medical and neurological conditions, such as hysterectomies, spinal cord problems, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’sdisease, stroke and diabetes can make incontinence worse. Lifestyle factors can also add to the problem. For example, while obesity does not cause incontinence, it does contribute due to the increased abdominal pressure. And while smoking is not a direct cause of incontinence, it may aggravate it.
Of course, not all incontinence is a permanent condition. Urinary tract infections can cause temporary incontinence, and certain medications may increase the likelihood of temporary incontinence. These can be treated effectively with medications such as antibiotics and with the help of Kegel exercises.
Treatment of incontinence
With the advents of superior technology, there are now a number of advanced and effective options for the treatment of incontinence in women, to help restore the urinary continence women have lost with age, or after bearing children.
One of the newest and most effective surgical treatment of incontinence uses the sling procedure, which serves as support for the urethra during increased abdominal pressure. Bone fixated slings treat incontinence by supporting the urethra with a graft material that is secured to the pubic bone. Self-fixating slings treat incontinence by supporting the urethra. The sling is secured in place by friction and natural tissue ingrowth, rather than by sutures or screws. New sling models have built in features that anchor the sling and provides short-term fixation. Mesh characteristics allow tissue fixation without suturing.
For the least invasive surgery, the Surgimesh® sling, from Aspide Medical can be inserted vaginally. The lightest sling in the market, it is a polypropylene sling specially designed to limit extensibility and deformation of the mesh during implantation.It boasts a very high mechanical resistance which enables elongation control, and the smoothed sides of the sling reduce considerably the risks of erosion. The special weave of the mesh allows a very quick colonization, and does not salt out particles (optimized knitting and pores size) Another advantage of the Surgimesh® sling is easy insertion; the sling remains flat, even under tension. All of these factors allow a smoother implantation during surgery and maximum patient comfort afterwards.
With so many women suffering in silence, understanding the prevalence, possible causes and treatment options may encourage more women to seek today’s more advanced and effective treatment of incontinence.
Founded in 1994, Aspide Medical is a world leader in textile surgical implants. The Surgimesh® range, developed in partnership with surgeons includes implants for for digestive, urological and gynecological surgery.
Services
ASPIDE Medical
246 allée Lavoisier
42350 La Talaudière
FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0)4 77 53 16 59
Fax : + 33 (0)4 77 53 01 97
Email : aspide@aspide.com
Web : http://www.aspide.com
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