The Incontinence & Bladder Health Program
Do you frequently experience an overwhelming urge to urinate?
Do you suffer from involuntary loss of urine?
Do you find yourself thinking these thoughts?
"Oh, don't make me laugh or I'll pee my pants."
"I seem to dribble urine all of the time."
"On my way to the bathroom, I start urinating; I just can't get there fast enough."
If these sound familiar then you may indeed suffer from Urinary Incontinence. Many people - men and women - do not seek treatment for these conditions because they believe they are a normal part of the aging process. This is not true! These are extremely common, and often treatable conditions that afflict over 33 million Americans every year - 85% of which are women. These are conditions with far-reaching consequences that impact a persons psychological and social well-being.
Recent advancements in bladder treatment technologies have made it possible to control or completely reverse the adverse effects of these disorders. Watson Clinic's highly respected team of gynecologists and urologists are working together to treat - and often times cure - these disorders, eliminating the embarrassment that reduces quality of life and often hinders someone from seeking medical assistance.
Types of Pelvic Prolapse:
(Information provided by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)
- Cystocele – prolapse of the bladder
- Urethocele – prolapse of the urethra ("urine tube")
- Uterine prolapse – prolapse of the uterus (womb)
- Vaginal vault prolapse – prolapse of the vagina (usually after a hysterectomy)
- Enterocele – prolapse of the small bowel (intestine)
- Rectocele – prolapse of the rectum
- Perinocele – prolapse of the perineum (area between the vagina and the rectum)
Pelvic organ prolapse is affected by aging. Levels of the hormone estrogen decrease during menopause. Collagen levels, which help the connective tissue of the pelvis stretch, decline as estrogen levels decrease. Declining levels of collagen lead to increased pressure on the pelvic floor and can cause urinary and fecal incontinence as well as pelvic prolapse.
Types of Incontinence:
- Stress Incontinence - is involuntary loss of urine during physical movement (coughing, sneezing, exercising, laughing, lifting). In describing this condition the word "stress" does not refer to emotional stress, but the stress of increased physical pressure on the bladder.
- Urge Incontinence – is often referred to as "overactive bladder". It is the leakage of large amounts of urine at unexpected times, including during sleep. Those with urge incontinence feel a strong uncontrollable need to urinate. They may also feel the need to urinate often.
- Functional Incontinence – is untimely urination because of physical disability, external obstacles, or problems in thinking or communicating that prevent a person from reaching a toilet.
- Overflow Incontinence – is unexpected leakage of small amounts of urine because of a full bladder. The bladder may also never feel completely empty.
- Mixed Incontinence – is defined as having more than one type of incontinence occur at the same time, usually the occurrence of stress and urge incontinence together.
- Transient Incontinence – is the leakage that occurs temporarily because of a condition that will pass (infection, medication).
Testing May Include:
- History and Physical Examination (By A Doctor)
- Urinalysis
- Cystoscopy
- Urodynamic studies
Watson Clinic's comprehensive Incontinence & Bladder Health Program offers a vast array of services designed to restore a patient's sense of relief and well-being. Treatment plans are designed based upon the severity of your condition, and range from simple diet modifications to major pelvic reconstructive surgery.
Treatment Options May Include:
(Information provided by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our expert physicians please call 863-680-7450.
Support Links:
Tarek G. Garas, MD
Medical Director of Watson Clinic's Bladder Health Program and current specialty spokesperson for Watson Clinic's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland
Watson Clinic Highlands - 2140 E. Country Rd. 540A, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Medical Degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE
- Internship & Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami School of medicine, Miami, FL
- Board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Specialized training in advanced Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Sacral Neuromodulation and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Office Instructions:
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Medical Degree Loyola University/Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, MD
- General Surgery Internship and Residency, Loyola University, Chicago, IL and Pinnacle Health Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg, PA
- Urology Residency, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
- Board-certified in Urology
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Medical Degree from Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
- General Surgery Internship and Residency, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY
- Urology Residency, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
- Board-certified in Urology
Urologist
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Medical Degree from Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ
- General Surgery Internship, Midwestern University, St. James Medical Center, Olympia Fields, IL
- Urology Residency, Midwestern University, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL
James A. Wilson, MD
Specialty spokesperson for Watson Clinic's Urology Department
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Medical Degree from University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS
- Internship in Surgery, Residency in Urology, Shands Teaching Hospital, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
- Clinical Professor in Urology at University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Omaha, NE
- Board-certified in Urology
Nicole K. Clinard, ARNPNurse Practitioner who works in conjunction with Dr. Tarek Garas
Watson Clinic Main - 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland
Educational Activities:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL
- Master of Science Degree in Nursing from University of Tampa, Tampa, FL
- Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Polk County Advance Practice Nurse Association and the Association of Operating Room Nurses
The Incontinence & Bladder Health Program is a joint venture of Gynecology and Urology
Departments to resolve all your pelvic and bladder concerns.
To make an appointment or refer a patient to the Bladder Health Program
please call 863-680-7450.