What is bladder and bowel dysfunction?
Bladder and bowel dysfunction-BBD (also known as dysfunctional elimination syndrome) is a condition in which bowel issues such as constipation and encopresis are linked to urinary symptoms. Since the rectum and the bladder share similar nerve control (from the spine) and the same pelvic floor muscle support, bowel movements issues may trigger urinary symptoms. Lower urinary tract symptoms may include urinary incontinence, urgency, frequency, holding maneuvers, etc. Sometimes BBD may be accompanied by recurrent urinary tract infections. While these issues can significantly affect quality of life, children may also be at risk for significant health risks due to urinary tract infections with fever, concurrent urinary reflux, and even kidney damage. In addition to this, BBD is frequently seen in children with behavioral and neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Clinic
Pediatric Urology of San Antonio has developed the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Clinic to assist you in caring for patients with voiding dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, constipation and enuresis (daytime and nighttime wetting).
Treatments and Services
The Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Clinic is conveniently located at our medical center location. Our experienced multidisciplinary team includes board-certified pediatric urologists, board-certified pediatric nurse practitioners and pediatric medical assistants that share in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, specific treatment plan for each child.
Visits are scheduled for approximately one hour and include a combination of assessment, counseling, diagnostic procedures and individual care plan development for each child, which may include:
- Bladder ultrasound for measurements of urine volumes pre- and post-void
- Uroflow
- Urinalysis and/or urine culture
- Medication management
- Establishment of voiding routines
- Assessment of barriers to adherence
- Nutritional education
- Behavioral therapy and relapse prevention recommendations
- When indicated, biofeedback/pelvic floor physical therapy may be prescribed, which is performed in-house by our dedicated and knowledgeable staff.
Nurse Practitioners
Our Pediatric Urology Nurse Practitioners have more than 10-year combined experience in the management of Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction (formerly called “Voiding Dysfunction”) in children.
