Bladder Dysfunction and BPH Urinary Symptoms: Assessment in Ottawa and Waterloo
Bladder dysfunction is a broad term for problems with how the bladder stores or empties urine. Urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate — benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH — can include needing to urinate more often, urgency, a weak stream, difficulty starting, or waking at night to urinate. These symptoms are common with age, they can have several causes, and they deserve proper assessment, including ruling out infection or other conditions that need different care.
What urinary symptoms can involve
Some people notice mainly storage symptoms: frequency and urgency. Others notice mainly emptying symptoms: hesitancy, a weak or interrupted stream, or feeling the bladder has not fully emptied. Keeping track of when symptoms started, what medications are in use, and whether there has been blood in the urine, fever, or pain is an important part of assessment — and any of those red-flag symptoms should be discussed promptly with a clinician.
How focused shockwave therapy is thought to work — and the limits of the evidence
FocusWave Clinic uses the Storz Medical DUOLITH SD1, a Health Canada licensed device, to deliver focused low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT).
For urinary incontinence and BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms, the published evidence for shockwave therapy is limited and inconclusive. FocusWave Clinic’s approach is assessment first: a history, a nurse assessment, and a suitability check with Drew Klein, the clinic director, followed by an honest discussion of what is known, what is not known, and whether proceeding makes sense for that person.
What a first visit and assessment involves
A first visit starts with assessment, not with treatment assumed in advance. The men’s health program is $2,500 if a person is suitable and chooses to proceed. If assessment suggests that another route — for example, follow-up with a primary care clinician or urologist — is more appropriate, that is discussed at the consultation.
Who should call first instead of assuming treatment is suitable
Call before assuming treatment is suitable if you have a pacemaker or implanted device, an infection or open wound in the treatment area, cancer in the treatment area, or a bleeding disorder or use of blood thinners. Blood in the urine, inability to urinate, fever, or severe pain should be discussed urgently, not left for a routine consultation.
Talk to FocusWave Clinic in Ottawa or Waterloo
FocusWave Clinic has clinics in Ottawa and Waterloo.
If bladder or urinary symptoms are affecting your daily life, call first to discuss whether an assessment at FocusWave Clinic is appropriate for you.
- Ottawa: 2249 Carling Ave, Suite 201, Ottawa ON K2B 7E9 — 613-422-9283
- Waterloo: 109 Erb St. W, Suite B, Waterloo ON N2L 1T4 — 226-476-4147
- Toll-free: 888-558-9283 | info@focuswaveclinic.com | www.focuswaveclinic.com
