Bladder Problems Specialist
-
- Tweet
Texas Urological Clinic
Shawn P Todd, DO, PA
Urologist located in Lufkin, TX
Changes in your urinary habits or persistent pelvic pain may be warning signs of underlying bladder problems. At Texas Urological Clinic, board-certified urologist Shawn Todd, DO, PA, offers complete diagnostic testing and treatment services to keep your bladder healthy. Dr. Todd can address issues like bladder cancer, urinary incontinence, and interstitial cystitis using nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Call the office in Lufkin, Texas, today to schedule a consultation for bladder problems, or book an appointment online.
Bladder Problems Q&A
What causes bladder problems?
Your bladder is a balloon-shaped organ in your pelvic region that holds urine before you release it from your body.
Age-related changes in your body, injuries, and diseases can also affect how your bladder functions.
Some of the bladder problems Dr. Todd diagnoses and treats at Texas Urological Clinic include:
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence describes unexpected leaks of urine when you put pressure on your bladder, such as during a cough, laugh, or sneeze.
This condition typically results in women due to weakness in the pelvic muscles due to aging, pregnancy, and menopause. In both women and men, urinary incontinence can occur due to overly tight or overactive bladder muscles.
Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is also known as painful bladder syndrome, a condition that causes occasional or persistent pain in the bladder and pelvic area.
This bladder issue develops when there’s dysfunction in the communication between your nerves and brain.
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer starts in the cells that line the bladder and can spread outside the organ to other areas of the body. Risk factors for bladder cancer increase with age and if you have a family history of this type of cancer.
When should I seek treatment for bladder issues?
You should schedule diagnostic testing at Texas Urological Clinic for symptoms of bladder issues like:
- Urine leakage
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Persistent pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
You should also seek medical attention if the need to urinate wakes you up several times during the night and disturbs your sleep.
While symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, untreated bladder problems can be progressive and cause additional health complications.
How are bladder issues treated?
Your treatment plan for bladder issues depends on the results of your tests. Dr. Todd uses urine tests, bloodwork, and advanced diagnostic technologies to identify the cause of your bladder symptoms.
He can also use cystoscopy, a procedure where he inserts a cystoscope, a thin, lighted instrument, through the urethra to see inside of your bladder.
To treat urinary incontinence, Dr. Todd may recommend injections of Botox® to address overactive bladder muscles. In women, he may suggest bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
Texas Urological Clinic offers InterStim™ therapy, an implantable device that sends electrical impulses into the nerves to treat interstitial cystitis.
If you have bladder cancer, you may need surgery to remove cancerous cells and prevent the cancer from spreading. Some people also need chemotherapy and radiation to destroy any cancerous cells that remain after surgery.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for bladder issues, call Texas Urological Clinic today, or book a consultation online.
