Urodynamics (Urodynamic Testing) | Best Gynecologists in Brooklyn

Urodynamics

The doctors at Century Medical and Dental Center have many diagnostic testing techniques at their fingertips. That’s due to the practice encompassing a multi-disciplinary staff of specialists. Nearly every branch of medicine is represented. Urodynamics is one example of the state-of-the-art diagnostic tools available. A completely safe procedure, it measures your bladder’s functioning to look for abnormalities. Call today to meet with a urinary expert.

Urodynamics is a set of diagnostic medical tests that checks your lower urinary tract functions. Your bladder, sphincters and urethra are measured to see how much urine you can hold and what happens when you relieve yourself. The tests also look closely at your bladder functions to see if you have any problems like blockages or leaks.

Both men and women can get the bladder pressure test. Your doctor from Century Medical and Dental Center in Brooklyn recommends urodynamic testing along with other diagnostic tests, such as:

• An ultrasound to produce a sonogram
• Colposcopy for women
• An endometrial biopsy for women
• Cancer screening if you get an abnormal pap smear result

What a Urodynamic Test Detects

Urodynamic testing is used for diagnostics: to confirm a diagnosis or rule out a condition. Most often, you take this test when you’re suffering from urinary incontinence. Some of the other medical conditions that require the bladder test for diagnostic purposes include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic prolapse
• Uterine prolapse
• Bladder prolapse
• Rectocele
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Prostatitis

Which Urodynamic Testing You Need

Several tests come under the umbrella of urodynamics. Your doctor in Brooklyn chooses the most appropriate test according to your symptoms and medical diagnosis. The test lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. The types of urodynamic testing available to you include:

• Uroflowmetry This test measures the speed and volume of your urine output.
• Postvoid residual measurement. This is a urodynamic test that checks the amount of urine still remaining in your bladder after you have urinated.
• Cystometric test. This useful test measures how much urine is in the bladder, how much pressure builds up in the bladder as you urinate and how full the bladder is before you get the urge to urinate.
• Leak point pressure measurement. This test analyses at what point the pressure is so high that leakage happens during the cystometric test.
• Pressure flow study. This measures the bladder pressure that you need to urinate. It also checks the flow rate at a given pressure.
• Electromyography. This test uses special sensors to monitor the electrical activity of the muscles and nerves in and around the bladder and the sphincters. You mostly need this test if your doctor suspects that nerve or muscle damage is the cause for the lower urinary tract not functioning properly.
• Video urodynamic tests. These tests use technology to take pictures and videos of your bladder while it fills up and while you relieve yourself. For an x-ray, your bladder is filled with a special fluid that shows more prominently. For an ultrasound, your bladder is filled with warm water.

Getting Ready for Urodynamic Testing

There isn’t any special preparation to do before the bladder pressure test. You might get instructions to arrive with a full bladder if the test requires it. Certain medications can interfere with the testing, so inform your doctor beforehand of all the medicine and supplements you’re taking. Include all your pills for diabetes, asthma, chest pain, hypertension, high cholesterol and especially any kidney problems.

On your testing day, you’re asked to relieve your full bladder in a special toilet. The toilet measures things like the rate of urine flow and how much urine you produce. Then you lie down while two catheters are introduced into your bladder — one to fill the bladder and the other to check the pressure changes. These are connected to a machine that records all the findings.

Your Recovery from Urodynamics

For the first couple of hours after the procedure, you may feel mild discomfort every time you relieve yourself. You may even notice some blood in your urine, but that’s normal and caused by the catheter. You need to drink at least eight ounces of water every half hour as this helps reduce the pain and discomfort. Your doctor may also suggest a warm bath or heated pad.

You’re provided over-the-counter or prescription medicine to ease your discomfort and prevent an infection. You may want to relax for the rest of the day, but there are no lasting side effects or consequences from urodynamic testing. When you’re worried about leakage, constant urges to urinate, a urinary tract infection or some other urinary problem, contact your MDs at Century Medical and Dental Center for an appointment.