Do you know the options for treatment of Parkinson's bladder issues? Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Day
Many persons with Parkinson’s suffer from bladder issues and are not clear about what to do and where to go. We give you a few tips:
There are potentially several treatments available.
A quick ultrasound scan can be used to measure the urine left in the bladder after going to the bathroom. This can usually be performed in a clinic setting and is fast and easy.
Talk to your team about regulating the type of fluids consumed, the timing of fluids and making sure you stay hydrated. If you fluid restrict too much it can lead to dizziness and passing out.
Pelvic floor exercises can be prescribed and are usually administered by a physical therapist trained in this area.
Medications can sometimes help but be careful as most of them can contribute to confusion, constipation and other adverse effects.
Tibial nerve stimulation is a newer therapy to ask your urologist about. We are waiting for more studies on this approach.
Botulinum toxin injections for the bladder are less proven in Parkinson’s and sometimes can make things worse and lead to urinary infections. There may be some cases where they are helpful— and we await more data from studies.
The best case scenario is when plans are coordinated between your Parkinson’s neurologist, internist and urologist. Communication is very important to achieve the best results for treatment of urinary issues in Parkinson’s.
Dr. Panicker at Queen’s Square also sat down with us recently to give his urinary dysfunction tips for Parkinson’s.
