Continence Center
About Incontinence
As we age, many people experience some loss of bladder control. Over 13 million Americans have some form of urinary incontinence. Incontinence may occur during exercise, lifting heavy objects, coughing, or sneezing. People may also find that they have trouble “making it” to the bathroom quickly enough.
Don’t let embarrassment over this common problem stop you from getting the help you need. Starling’s Continence Center offers a comprehensive individualized evaluation of each person. We offer many different treatment options, and we’re sure to find the one that is right for you.
Symptoms
Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts more frequently.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
- Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting something heavy.
- Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as a neurologic disorder or diabetes.
- Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.
- Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants
quickly enough. - Mixed incontinence. You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence.
When to Seek Care
You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to seek medical advice because urinary incontinence may:
- Indicate a more serious underlying condition.
- Cause you to restrict your activities and limit your social interactions.
- Increase the risk of falls in older adults as they rush to the toilet.
Treatment Options
There are many different treatment options for incontinence and, together, we will formulate a customized plan of care. Treatments may include:
Behavioral Modification:
Many issues can be resolved easily with simple changes of diet and nutrition. Additionally, pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, and retraining the bladder can all be used for treatment.
Medication:
We strive to find the right medication, with the fewest side effects, to meet your needs.
Surgical Procedures:
We are proud to offer the most minimally invasive surgical procedures including neuromodulation and Botox.
About Us
Dr. Corlis Archer-Goode and Kerry Rausch, APRN have worked together for more than 15 years to develop the most comprehensive continence center in the area.
Schedule an Appointment Today
The goal of our center is to provide the most up to date and comprehensive care for men and women who experience incontinence. We strive to improve the quality of life for you and your family.
We look forward to working with you!
For more information or an appointment in Newington and New Britain, please call today: (860) 826-4453.
Dr. Corlis Archer-Goode, MD
Dr. Archer-Goode is certified by the American Board of Urology. She received her medical degree from Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, and completed her urology training at State University of New York in Syracuse, New York. She treats men and women who suffer from urological conditions including urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, kidney stones,
interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence. She manages the Continence Center of Starling Physicians and provides a comprehensive evaluation for adults who have problems with voiding dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
Kerry Rausch, MSN, APRN
Kerry has her advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner from Yale University. She is a certified Continence Care Nurse. Her interests and expertise include clinical care for female urological patients, with a focus on care for patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder.