Urinary biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique whereby children are taught
to identify and properly relax their urinary sphincter muscle when urinating as
well as contract the muscle effectively to maintain normal urinary control.
How biofeedback can help
Biofeedback is effective in many children with different
bladder control problems such as those:
- Who do not empty their bladders completely
- Who strain in order to urinate
- Who get recurrent urinary tract infections
- Who experience periods of urgency to urinate
- Who continue to wet despite other therapies
How biofeedback is performed
A set of sensors (sticky patches) that detect muscle
activity is placed on your child's buttocks near the sphincter area. The sensors
are attached to a small computer that records the signals from the sensors and
presents them on the computer screen for you and your child to see. The signals
change as your child contracts and relaxes the sphincter muscle. In this way,
the process of isolating the sphincter muscle and understanding how to properly relax
this muscle begins.
The procedure is not painful
The placement of the sensors and the recordings into the computer are
not painful. No electric shocks
pass to the patient.
Other testing may be performed during biofeedback
In order to better assess the
way in which your child empties her bladder, an ultrasound of the bladder
is performed to measure the volume of urine at the beginning of the session and
the amount left inside after she urinates. Also, a uroflow (voiding into a special commode) is performed to evaluate her
voiding pattern.
Therefore, it is important that your child arrives for the biofeedback session with a full
bladder. To do this, have the child drink clear liquid for one hour prior to the session.
- Children under 7 years of age should drink at least 2
cups of water (16 oz).
- Children over 7 years of age should drink at least 4 to 5 cups of water
(32-40 oz).
Some foods can affect the results of biofeedback
Your child should avoid:
- Caffeine (iced tea, soda, coffee)
- Carbonated drinks (soda, seltzer)
- Citric juices (orange, lemonade) and fruits
- Chocolate
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream)
Bowel habits also can affect biofeedback
Constipation definitely affects relaxation of the pelvic
floor muscles. Even if your child has a daily bowel movement she may be holding
large amounts of stool in the colon, which can affect pelvic relaxation.
Encourage your child to have a bowel movement prior to the biofeedback session.
Please remember...
All of your questions concerning biofeedback are
welcome. The more you understand, the better you can help your child overcome her bladder control
problem.
For questions or for more information, please call 773.327.1840.