Absorbent Products: Pads
and garments, disposable or reusable, worn to absorb leaked
urine. Absorbent products include shields, undergarment pads,
combination pad-pant systems, diaperlike garments, and bed pads.
Artificial sphincter: Sometimes complicated cases
of incontinence require implantation of a device known as an
artificial urinary sphincter. People who might benefit from this
treatment include those who are incontinent after surgery for
prostate cancer or stress incontinence, trauma victims and
people with congenital defects in the urinary system. The
artificial sphincter has three components, including a pump,
balloon reservoir, and a cuff that encircles the urethra and
prevents urine from leaking out. The cuff is connected to the
pump, which is surgically implanted in the scrotum (in men) or
labia (in women). The pump can be activated (usually by
squeezing or pressing a button) to deflate the cuff and permit
the bladder to empty. After a brief interval, the cuff refills
itself and the urethra is again closed. Because the artificial
sphincter is an implant, it is subject to the risks common to
implants, such as infection, erosion (breaking down of tissue)
and mechanical malfunction. Yet with appropriate pre-surgical
evaluation, operative techniques and postoperative follow-up,
many problems can be avoided and incontinent patients can
experience an improved quality of life with this device.
Anemia:
A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells,
in hemoglobin, or in total volume.
Anxiety:
A debilitating condition of fear, which interferes with normal
life functions.
Assisted Reproductive
Technologies (ART) : The new forms of fertility
treatment incorporate many methods of sperm retrieval and
preparation. Once the sperm have been processed to ensure
optimal fertilizing potential, they are used in a variety of
procedures that aid the process of conception. These procedures
include artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF),
and sperm microinjection techniques.
Autologous:
Derived from the same individual.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Behavioral Techniques: Different methods to help
"retrain" the bladder and get rid of the urgency to urinate.
(see biofeedback, bladder training, electrical stimulation,
habit training, pelvic muscle exercises, prompted voiding).
Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia: A condition in which the prostate
becomes enlarged as part of the aging process.
Benign Tumor:
A tumor that is not cancerous
Bilateral:
A term describing a condition that affects both sides of the
body or two paired organs, such as kidneys.
Biofeedback:
A procedure that uses electrodes to help people gain awareness
and control of their pelvic muscles.
Bladder:
A hollow muscular balloon shaped organ that stores urine until
it is excreted from the body.
Bladder
Training: A behavioral technique that teaches the
patient to resist or inhibit the urge to urinate, and to urinate
according to a schedule rather than urinating at the urge.
Brachytherapy:
Involves the placement of tiny radioactive pellets into the
Prostate gland. By utilizing ultrasound to place the seed
pellets, damage to surrounding tissues is minimized.
Approximately 13,500-16,000 rads of radiation energy is
delivered directly to the Prostate. This procedure is performed
on an outpatient basis. It is a one time procedure with very
effective results. The 10-year follow-up outcome data parallels
that of Radical Prostatectomy.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Catheter:
A tube passed through the body for draining fluids or injecting
them into body cavities. It may be made of elastic, elastic web,
rubber, glass, metal, or plastic.
Catheterization: Insertion of a slender tube
through the urethra or through the anterior abdominal wall into
the bladder, urinary reservoir, or urinary conduit to allow
urine drainage.
Chancre:
A hard, syphilitic primary ulcer, the first sign of syphilis,
appearing approx. 2 to 3 weeks after infection. The ulcer begins
as a painless lesion or papule that ulcerates. Occurs generally
singly, but sometimes may be multiple.
Chemolysis :
Certain types of kidney stones can be dissolved with the
application chemicals. Uric acid stones, for example, can be
dissolved with a solution of sodium bicarbonate in saline.
Cystine stones may be treated successfully with a combination of
acetylcysteine and sodium bicarbonate in saline. Struvite and
carbon apatite stones can be treated with an acidic solution of
hemiacidrin. The procedure involves infusing the chemical
solution into the affected area by means of a ureteral catheter
in a series of treatments over time until the stone is
dissolved. The patient's urine must be cultured regularly
throughout the course of treatment to guard against urinary
infection and prevent the buildup of excessive chemical levels,
particularly magnesium, which can cause other health problems.
Colon:
The large intestine.
Creatinine:
A waste product that is filtered from the blood by the kidneys
and expelled in urine.
Cryotherapy:
During an operation probes are placed in the prostate. The
probes are then frozen which kills the prostatic cells.
Cystocele:
A herniation of bladder into vagina
Cyst:
A lump filled with either fluid or soft material, occurring in
any organ or tissue; may occur for a number of reasons but is
usually harmless unless its presence disrupts organ or tissue
function.
Cystectomy:
Surgical removal of the bladder.
Cystoscopy:
A flexible scope is inserted into the urethra and then into the
bladder to determine abnormalities in the bladder and lower
urinary tract.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Diabetes
mellitus: A common form of diabetes in which the
body cannot properly store or use glucose (sugar), the body's
main source of energy.
Diuretic:
A drug that increases the amount of water in the urine, removing
excess water from the body; used in treating high blood pressure
and fluid retention
Electrohydraulic
Lithotripsy (EHL) :This technique uses a special
probe to break up small stones with shock waves generated by
electricity. Through a flexible ureteroscope, the physician
positions the tip of the probe 1 mm from the stone. Then, by
means of a foot switch, the physician projects electrically
generated hydraulic shock waves through an irrigating fluid at
the stone until it is broken into small fragments. These can be
passed by the patient or removed through the previously
described extraction methods. EHL has some limitations: It
requires general anesthesia, and is generally not used in close
proximity to the kidney itself, as the shock waves can cause
tissue damage. Fragments produced by the hydraulic shock also
tend to scatter widely, making retrieval or extraction more
difficult.
Enterocele:
Herniation of small bowel into vagina
Estrogen:
Hormones responsible for the development of female sex
characteristics; produced by the ovary.
External Beam
Radiation therapy: A 25-28 treatment protocol
that utilizes External Beam Radiation. Approximately 6800-7400
rads of radiation energy is delivered to the Prostate. There can
be some radiation effect on surrounding tissues.
Extracorporeal Shock
Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): Extracorporeal shock
wave lithotripsy uses highly focused impulses projected from
outside the body to pulverize kidney stones.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Habit
Training: A behavioral technique that calls for
scheduled toileting at regular intervals on a planned basis.
Unlike bladder training, there is no systematic effort to
motivate the patient to delay voiding and resist urge.
Hormonal therapy:
Involves the use of anti-androgens. An androgen is a male
hormone needed for the production of testosterone. By depriving
the cancer cells of the testosterone they need for growth,
tumors regress in size and cellular activity. Side effects
include gynecomastia, the enlargement of breast tissue, hot
flashes, and loss of libido ( desire to have sex ). Some long
term hormonal therapy is associated with the loss of muscle
mass, osteoporosis, and malaise ( loss of energy ).
Hydrocele:
A painless swelling of the scrotum, caused by a collection of
fluid around the testicle; commonly occurs in middle-aged men.
Hypermobility: A condition characterized in which
the pelvic floor muscles can no longer provide the necessary
support to the urethra and bladder neck. As a result, the
bladder neck drops when any downward pressure is applied and
causing involuntary leakage. This condition is the most common
cause of stress urinary incontinence.
Hyperplasia:
Excessive growth of normal cells of an organ.
Insemination:
The placement of semen into a woman's uterus, cervix, or vagina.
InterStim
Continence Control Therapy: A therapy used in
treating urge incontinence. A device, about the size of a
pacemaker, that is implanted into the sacral nerves of the lower
spine, where it delivers electrical impulses that help regulate
bladder function.
Interstitial
laser: A laser probe is placed within prostatic
tissue. Laser energy is then used to destroy prostatic tissue
which makes urination easier.
Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD): Weakening
of the urethra sphincter muscles. As a result of this weakening
the sphincter does not function normally regardless of the
position of the bladder neck or urethra. This condition is a
common cause of stress urinary intinence.
Irritable
Bladder: Involuntary contractions of muscles in
the bladder, which can cause lack of control of urination.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Kegel Exercises:
Exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor,
which leads to more control and prevents leakage.
Kidney:
One of a pair of organs located at the back of the abdominal
cavity. Kidneys make urine through blood filtration.
Kidney Stone:
A hard mass composed of substances from the urine that form in
the kidneys.
Laparoscopy:
Surgery using an laparoscope to visualize internal organ through
a small incision. Generally less invasive than traditional
surgeries requiring a shorter recovery period.
Laparoscopic Lymph
Node Dissection: If a perineal prostatectomy is
contemplated then prior to the operation the pelvic lymph nodes
are sampled via three small incisions made in the abdomen, much
like the procedure used to remove gallbladders.
Lithotripsy:
A procedure done to break up stones in the urinary tract using
ultrasonic shock waves, so that the fragments can be easily
passed from the body.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Menopause:
The period that marks the permanent cessation of menstrual
activity, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 58.
Metastasis:
The spreading of a cancerous tumor to another part of the body.
Microwave
(Targis): A catheter is placed within the bladder
and positioned within the prostate, then the antenna emits
microwaves. This procedure increases the passageway allowing for
easier urination.
Mixed
Incontinence: Having both stress and urge
incontinence.
Nephrectomy:
Removal of an entire kidney.
Open Nephrolithotomy:
is the most invasive procedure for removing kidney stones.
Because it is so traumatic, most kidneys can withstand no more
than two such operations. Deep anesthesia is required, after
which the surgeon makes a large (10-20 centimeter) incision in
the patient's back or abdomen, depending upon where the stone is
located. Either the ureter or the kidney isopened and the stone
extracted. Most patients require prolonged hospitalization
afterward, and recovery may take up to two months.
Orchiectomy:
The surgical removal of one or both of the testicles.
Orchitis:
Inflammation of a testicle.
Overactive bladder: A condition characterized by
involuntary bladder muscle contractions during the bladder
filling phase which the patient cannot suppress.
Overflow UI:
Leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always
full.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Percutaneous
Nephrolithotomy (PCN): Percutaneous means "though
the skin." In PCN, the surgeon or urologist makes a 1-centimeter
incision under local anesthesia in the patient's back, through
which an instrument called a nephroscope is passed directly into
the kidney and, if necessary, the ureter. Smaller stones may be
manually extracted. Large ones may need to be broken up with
ultrasonic, electrohydraulic or laser- tipped probes before they
can be extracted. A tube may be inserted into the kidney for
drainage.
Pelvic muscle
exercises: Pelvic muscle exercises are intended
to improve your pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage for
sufferers of Stress Urinary Incontinence. Also called Kegel
exercises. (see biofeedback)
Periurethral bulking injections: A surgical
procedure in which injected implants are used to "bulk up" the
area around the neck of the bladder allowing it to resist
increases in abdominal pressure which can push down on the
bladder and cause leakage.
Post-void residual
(PVR) volume: A diagnostic test which measures
how much urine remains in the bladder after urination. Specific
measurement of PVR volume can be accomplished by
catheterization, pelvic ultrasound, radiography, or radioisotope
studies.
Prostaglandin: Any of various oxygenated
unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals that have a variety of
hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth
muscle contraction).
Prostate:
A muscular, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of the
urethra. It secretes seminal fluid, a milky substance that
combines with sperm (produced in the testicles) to form semen.
Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the prostate.
- Suprapubic /
Retropubic Prostatectomy: This involves the
removal of obstructing prostatic tissue through a
supra-pubic incision ( a cut below the belly button ). The
Prostate is not wholly removed.
Suprapubic Prostatectomy requires incising the
bladder to remove the obstructing tissue while a
Retropubic approach
involves incising the Prostatic capsule to remove the
obstructing tissue. Both approaches utilize an abdominal
incision.
- Radical
Retropubic Prostatectomy: Removal of prostate
through an abdominal incision. The prostate is completely
removed. The advantage is that the lymph nodes can be
sampled at the time of the operation and the nerve-sparing
procedure is easier to do via this operation.
- Perineal
Prostatectomy: A Perineal incision is
utilized. The advantages are: less blood loss, easier
visualization of the bladder / urethral anastomosis and
decreased recovery time because the incision does not
involve muscle or any other vital tissue
Prostatic stent:
Inserted through a cystoscope, it is a wire device that expands
after placement thus pushing prostate tissue away from
passageway allowing for easier urination.
Prostatitis:
Inflammation of the prostate
Prostatron:
Also called TUMT or Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy. A
catheter is placed within the bladder and positioned within the
prostate, then the antenna emits microwaves. This procedure
increases the passageway allowing for easier urination.
Pubovaginal Sling:
A surgical procedure in which a man-made or cadaveric piece of
material is placed under the bladder neck to support and
immobilize. This technique improves sphincter function and
decreases bladder neck movement, improving continence.
Pyelonephritis: Inflammation of the kidney,
usually due to a bacterial infection.
Pyuria:
The presence of pus in the urine; usually an indication of
kidney or urinary tract infection.
[
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D-E ] [
H-I ] [
K-L ] [
M-O ] [
P ] [
R-T ] [
U-V ]
Rectocele
A herniation of rectum into vagina
Sexually Transmitted
Disease (STD): Infections that are most commonly
spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact.
Sling Procedures:
Surgical methods for treating urinary incontinence involving the
placement of a sling, made either of tissue obtained from the
person undergoing the sling procedure or a synthetic material.
The sling is anchored to retropubic and/or abdominal structures.
Sphincter:
A ring of muscle fibers located around an opening in the body
that regulates the passage of substances.
Stress Test:
A diagnostic test that requires patients to lift something or
perform an exercise to determines if there is urine loss when
stress is placed on bladder muscles.
Stress Urinary Incontinence: Urinary
Incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine during period of
increased abdominal pressure. Such events include laughing,
sneezing, coughing or lifting heavy objects.
Testosterone:
The sex hormone that stimulates development of male sex
characteristics and bone and muscle growth; produced by the
testicles and in small amounts by the ovaries.
Transient urinary incontinence: Temporary
episodes of urinary incontinence that are gone when the cause of
the episode is identified and treated
|