Dr. Garris Answers Your Questions 

Q.  Do you treat interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor dysfunction? 

A.  Absolutely! Yes.

 

Q. I'm 29 years old I have been dealing with stress incontinence since delivering my second child on August 3, 2007. (My baby was 9 lbs, 15 oz. at birth.) When should I see a doctor? I have problems if I sneeze, cough, laugh, and sometimes I don't get to the bathroom in time. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

A.It is not uncommon to have some leakage of urine during pregnancy.  Complications at the time of delivery such as long labor, use of vacuum of forceps, large size babies, episiotomies, or vaginal tears can lead to problems immediately or later in life. Since you delivered your baby in August of this year, you should have recovered from any “routine” problems of pregnancy and delivery.  I would strongly encourage you to see your physician or schedule an appointment here with us to further evaluate your symptoms. You should not be leaking urine. Your problem is easily evaluated and managed with great success.

Please feel free to call us at (864) 455-1600 to schedule an appointment or ask to speak to me or my nurse practitioner regarding more suggestions.

 

Q. Is it unhealthy not to urinate during the workday?

A. The bladder is an organ used to store urine made by the kidneys.  As you drink more fluids, the kidneys produce more urine.  Typically, the adult bladder holds 300-600 milliliters of urine before the sensation to void becomes very strong.  If you drink less fluid, you produce less urine and that urine produced is more concentrated.  

Most adults empty their bladder about 6 times per day, but remember this may depend on how many fluids you drink.  Holding your urine for long periods of time may allow for problems to occur such as urinary tract infections.  I recommend that you empty your bladder during the workday.