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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.
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.
artificial urinary sphincter (AUS):
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.
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.
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.
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.
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colon: The large intestine.
corpora cavernosa: Two chambers in the penis
which run the length of the organ and are filled with spongy tissue.
Blood flows in and fills the open spaces in the spongy tissue to create
an erection.
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.
detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD):
Damage to the nervous system can create a lack of coordination between
the bladder and the external sphincter muscle, which is the muscle that
controls the emptying of the bladder. As a result the bladder cannot
empty completely which creates a buildup of urinary pressure. DESD is a
combination of thses two factors and can lead to severe urinary tract
damage and life-threatening consequences.
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
ejaculation: Ejection of semen during male orgasm.
ejaculation, retrograde: The discharge of semen into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of the body.
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.
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 ).
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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 urinary retention and symptoms of overactive bladder,
including urinary urge incontinence and urgency-frequency. Therapy uses
a small implanted device to send mild electrical pulses through a thin
wire to the sacral nerve, which controls the bladder and surrounding
muscles. Click here to see a picture.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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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.
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, such as a bladder infection.
TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy): See Prostatron.
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TUNA (transurethral needle ablation): The
instrument is placed into prostate tissue through cystoscope the tissue
between the needles is destroyed via thermal energy.
TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate):
A surgical telescope is used to core out the inside of the prostate
(urethra) creating a larger channel making the passage of urine easier.
This is the gold standard for treatment of BPH.
ultrasonic lithotripsy :
Similar to ureteroscopy, ultrasonic lithotripsy uses an optical scope
and electronic probe, inserted into the ureter under epidural (spinal)
anesthesia, to locate the stone. High-frequency ultrasound waves then
are directed at the stone to break it up gradually. The fragments can
either be passed
naturally by the patient or removed by grasping forceps, basket
extraction or suction through the scope instrument. The instrument is
not flexible, however, so ultrasonic lithotripsy typically can be
employed only when a straight path directly from outside the body to
the stone is possible.
underactive bladder:
A condition characterized by a bladder contraction of inadequate
magnitude and/or duration to effect bladder emptying in a normal
timespan. This condition can be caused by drugs, fecal impaction, and
neurologic conditions such as Diabetic neuropathy or low spinal cord
injury or as a result of radical pelvic surgery. It also can result
from a weakening of the detrusor muscle from vitamin B12 deficiency or
idiopathic causes. Bladder underactivity may cause overdistension of
the bladder, resulting in overflow incontinence (see overflow
incontinence).
ureteroscopy: A
flexible, fiberoptic instrument resembling a long, thin telescope is
inserted through the urethra and bladder up to the ureter to visualize
the tube. Often used for retrieval of kidney stones.
urge UI: The involuntary loss of urine associated with a sudden and strong urge to void (urgency).
urge/urgency: A strong desire to void.
urinalysis: A
group of physical and chemical tests done on a sample of urine to check
for various disorders, including those of the kidneys and urinary tract.
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urinary incontinence:(UI)
Involuntary loss of urine sufficient to be a problem. There are several
types of Ul, but all are characterized by an inability to restrain
voiding.
urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs are caused by bacteria that invade the
urinary system and multiply, leading to an infection.
urodynamic tests: Diagnostic tests to examine the bladder and urethral sphincter function.
vesica sling procedure: is
a surgical sling procedure used to stabilize the bladder neck and
provide support for the urethra using autologous or synthetic sling
material. This procedure treats both hypermobility and ISD.
varicocelectomy: The cutting away of a varicocele.
varicocele embolization:
An outpatient procedure in which the varicocele is closed off
(occluded) by means of a balloon catheter (flexible tube with a tiny
detachable balloon), steel coil, and/or sclerosing (vessel-hardening)
solution.
vasoepididymostomy A
microsurgical procedure that uses a microscopic camera and very small
operative tools to correct obstructions in the genital tract. The
procedure requires removal of the blockage in the epididymis (the
coiled tube that extends the length of each testis and connects with a
larger duct - the vas deferens) and re-attachment of the epididymis to
the vas deferens.
vasovasostomy:Vasovasostomy
is a vasectomy reversal, the re-connection of the severed ends of the
vas deferens restoring the flow of sperm through the vas deferens.
vaportrode: A
type of cautery electrode that vaporizes Prostatic tissue. This creates
a larger prostatic channel which makes urination easier.
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