| Pioneering medical research is going on at | | | | muscle so it cannot squeeze so hard, and so |
| the University of Leicester into the use of | | | | reduces the need to pass water frequently or |
| Botulinum toxin - commonly thought of as a | | | | suddenly. It may also reduce the sensation of |
| beauty treatment – for bladder | | | | having a full bladder. Dr Douglas Tincello |
| problems. | | | | commented: |
| | | | |
| Dr Douglas Tincello, Senior Lecturer at the | | | | "Overactive bladder is very difficult to |
| University's Department of Cancer Studies and | | | | treat well. Lots of our patients try |
| Molecular Medicine and Consultant | | | | different tablets and pelvic floor exercises |
| Gynaecologist at the Leicester General | | | | but at least a third of them will not be |
| Hospital, is carrying out a randomised trial | | | | better. At the moment the only alternatives |
| involving injecting botulinum toxin into the | | | | are to put up with it, or consider a very big |
| bladders of women who have overactive bladder | | | | operation which often means the patient ends |
| disease. | | | | up with a stoma bag. |
| | | | |
| The trial, which has received a grant of | | | | "Many patients just suffer in silence, but |
| L158,000 from the Moulton Charitable Trust, | | | | the quality of life when you live with |
| involves women whose conditions have not | | | | overactive bladder is similar to that of a |
| improved after tablet treatment. | | | | patient on kidney dialysis. |
| | | | |
| Overactive bladder is a condition in which | | | | "Botulinum toxin has been tested already in |
| the bladder tries to empty itself, rather | | | | spinal cord injury patients.This study is |
| than the patient retaining control. Symptoms | | | | important to ascertain if it is safe and |
| include having to pass water very often day | | | | effective in patients with overactive |
| and night, not being able to put off the need | | | | bladder. Botulinum toxin is a very exciting |
| to do so, sudden urgency to pass water and | | | | development and in the future may provide a |
| sometimes incontinence. | | | | simple and effective way to improve the |
| | | | quality of life in our patients." |
| The botulinum toxin relaxes the bladder | | | | |