subject: Bladder Weakness – The First Examination [print this page] Bladder Weakness The First Examination Bladder Weakness The First Examination
For many people a trip to the doctor's office is full of anxiety. That's natural enough if we are going in for the first time for a specific concern as we always fear the unknown. So if you have finally decide to take action on your bladder weakness we may be able to make that first trip less scary by telling you what the doctor is likely to ask you and what kinds of exams may be performed.
Before you go to the physician it is a good idea to keep a bladder diary for at least a week. This diary lists the amount of fluid you take in, when you take it in, and the number and time of trips you made to the bathroom. This will give the doctor a good reading on just how severe your case is.
He will ask the standard questions like when did you first experience an incontinence problem and how is it affecting your life. He or she will want to know what kinds of foods and drinks you consume as some are natural diuretics or irritate the bladder. If you're on medication the doctor needs to know which ones and what the dosage is. Finally he or she will ask if you have any other health issues to determine if they might be contributing to your continence issues.
For women there is typically a vaginal exam where the tone and strength of the pelvic floor muscles are tested. For men there is usually a prostate exam to determine if there is abnormal growth. For both sexes there will be an examination of the abdomen to insure that other organs are healthy. Lastly a urine sample will be obtained and checked for infections or stones in the urinary tract.
So that's it, nothing to be concerned about. Just keep in mind that the reason you are going is so you can end bladder weakness and take back your life.
