 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Andre A. Kulisz
|
PREFACE
This
book is addressed to those who want to learn about urinary incontinence and
can’t find sufficient information on this subject.
Urinary
incontinence is a dysfunction as old as civilization.
It is definitely not new or specific to our times. Urinary incontinence became a topic of interest to many
because either they, or someone they know, became afflicted by it, or because
its prominence and social openness made us ready to discuss it.
For generations, it was a “taboo” subject, mainly associated with
aging and being a woman. As much as
it is mostly visible in older women, it is not exclusively the “woman thing”
and it is definitely not the “aging thing”.
I have studied the subject of incontinence for more than ten years, developing means to help afflicted patients. The experience collected over this time gave me a clear view and understanding of etiology, available treatments, and treatment outcomes specific to this condition. Regretfully, there is still not enough research to develop treatments leading to lasting recovery.
Statistics defining success in treatment of incontinence are collected for a year or two after the treatment is completed. This is, definitely, not enough. Patients that underwent these treatments live much longer than a year or two after being treated and in many of them incontinence returns after that time. I have seen many patients that went through multiple surgeries without any longer-term benefits. The time has come to address this dysfunction in ways that are much more serious. The “much more serious ways” include, but are not limited to, patient education and informed participation in treatment selection.
To
meet this need, I developed the PELVITRAX ® treatment
program. PELVITRAX ® is a nonsurgical,
nonmedication prevention and treatment for the loss of bladder control
(incontinence). It addresses four
basic elements of incontinence: depression,
urinary infections, obesity/weight control (too much or not enough body fat),
and incontinence itself. In my
opinion, about 70% – 80% of incontinent women are at the early stages of their
affliction, having occasional uncontrolled urine drips, and can be successfully
treated nonsurgically, and without medications.
Any
successful treatment requires patient commitment and the full
understanding of possible outcomes, short- and long-term side effects, and
limitations (if any) that the specific treatment or its result may impose on the
patient. After all, the patient,
not the doctor, is responsible for his or her own health.
To many, this may be too radical a statement to digest.
The
presence of over 150 surgical procedures meant to restore continence indicates
that there is no clear consensus on “how to”, much less “for how long”.
Very many committed clinicians are searching for answers.
Unfortunately, being constrained by their practices, minimal payments and
other restrictions imposed on them by insurance companies, and distracted by the
politics of medicine, FDA, medical associations, and lawyers drooling over their
malpractice insurance, doctors cannot commit enough time to always find ultimate
answers.
To
some of the readers this book, or its parts, may be controversial.
Well, this book represents my views. I wrote it with the full understanding that some of my
statements may not be the “main stream”, much like some of them may.
I hope this book helps those who seek additional information.
I hope that it will help to formulate the right questions and make the
right decisions. Informed and committed participation in the selected treatment
is the key. It builds trust and
confidence. It is essential to
recovery. It is as beneficial to
the patient as it is to the doctor.
The
purpose of this book is to inform and educate those interested in urinary
incontinence. I hope that what you
learn here will help you or your loved one to:
-
develop some opinions and questions you may ask your doctor
-
understand treatment options, and
-
actively participate in the treatment and recovery from incontinence.
Although
urinary incontinence is perceived to be an old age problem, IT IS NOT.
Give yourself some time to recover from it.
Give yourself, your doctor, and your treatment a chance.
Persistence and determination is the key. You owe it to yourself and you deserve it.
Good
luck,
Dr.
Andre Alexander Kulisz
San
Antonio, Texas
Fall,
2000