Urinary incontinence is usually a health condition associated with old age however in some cases, young adults or people in their 40s and early 50s may also develop urinary incontinence. Apart from observing and making notes of the symptoms that you may develop, there is a need to diagnose the real underlying problem which is causing urinary incontinence. You can conveniently opt for the requisite tests of urinary incontinence in Des Moines at a clinic or in an outpatient setting at a hospital. Most tests of urinary incontinence are simple and do not take a lot of time.
Here are the different tests that you may have to opt for to determine the extent of damage to the bladder, kidney and to determine the severity of urinary incontinence at Des Moines.
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a procedure where the urethra is subjected to local anesthesia and a small telescope is inserted into the urethra to inspect the bladder. By studying the anatomy or the condition of the bladder, the real cause of urinary incontinence can be determined.
Flow Rate
Flow Rate is determined by a process wherein you would be asked to consume plenty of water and when you urinate, it is done over a toilet that can record the volume of urine and the total time you take to empty your bladder.
Cystometrogram (CMG)
CMG is a procedure wherein a catheter is used to deliver sterile water or a gas, normally carbon dioxide, into the bladder. Following this, a radiologist or urologist diagnosing your problem of urinary continence in Des Moines will record your descriptions of the sensation you feel when you get the urge to urinate. The catheter is then removed and you would be asked to cough, strain and urinate, while the sensations are again observed as described by you.
Voiding Diary
Voiding Diary is a method of keeping records of the time of the day when you feel the urge to urinate and the amount of urine that is leaked. The volume of urine is recorded in ounces.
Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)
VCUG is a process wherein a catheter is inserted inside the bladder to pump in iodine. Once done, an X-ray is taken during voiding.
Intravenous Pyelogram
This is another process that uses X-ray as a diagnosing tool but unlike VCUG, an injection of iodine is administered into the vein and instead of inspecting the bladder, the kidney is photographed using X-ray to determine the extent of damage to the kidneys.
While getting diagnosed for urinary incontinence at Des Moines, you may or may not have to be subjected to all these tests. It would depend on your condition and the recommendation of the urologist. Also, if you are allergic to iodine or seafood, then that must be reported to seek alternatives to the VCUG and Intravenous Pyelogram procedures.