SVH UROLOGIST TO OFFER NEW TREATMENT
Sebasticook Valley Health (SVH) will offer a new procedure for patients who are challenged with urinary or bladder control issues but have not had positive results with other treatments. The procedure, called sacral neuromodulation, is a less invasive option. Sacral neuromodulation stimulates the nerves in the sacrum or lower back that help to control the bladder. This allows for increased bladder control.
“Sacral neuromodulation offers long-term benefit for patients suffering from urinary or bladder control symptoms,” explained SVH Urologist, Krishna Bhatta, MD, FRSC. “A distinct advantage of sacral neuromodulation, is that the initial external implant is tested for a few days before moving on to the permanent implant.”
During this evaluation period, Dr. Bhatta explained, he and the patient determine if adequate symptom reduction is achieved. If sacral neuromodulation is effective, then a smaller implant is permanently inserted under the skin at the lower back. Using a remote device that is the size of a mobile phone, the patient can change and control the frequency of electrical signals to the sacral nerves, when needed.
If you are faced with urinary problems that have not been controlled by other treatments, sacral neuromodulation may be an option for you. For information about scheduling an appointment, please contact SVH Specialty Care at 487-4040.

KRISHNA BHATTA, MD, FRSC
HEARTWISE PLANS HEART MONTH EVENTS
Heartwise, the cardiac rehabilitation program at Mayo Regional Hospital, has scheduled a variety of activities during American Heart Month in February. During Cardiac Rehab Week, slated for Sunday, February 12th through Saturday, February 18th, Heartwise will offer fasting lipid profiles and blood sugar lab tests at its suite in the Medical Office Building at Mayo Regional Hospital on Tuesday, February 14th and Thursday, February 16th. Tests are available from 6:30 to 10 AM on both days, on a walk-in basis.
Throughout the month, Heartwise will promote the importance of a proper diet in preventing heart disease by labeling more than 2,000 items of Heart Healthy foods at participating supermarkets in the Penquis area. Stores cooperating in this effort include Goulette’s IGA in Guilford, Shaw’s in Dover-Foxcroft, Will’s Shop 'n Save in Dover-Foxcroft, Sav-A-Lot, and Tradewinds Market in Milo.
Heartwise will participate on Friday, February 3rd in “Wear Red Day,” the American Heart Association’s effort to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke - the leading cause of death for women. On that day people from around Maine will be wearing red to focus attention on cardiovascular disease.
Heartwise’s Phase III program, started in 1990, is designed for maintenance of health following a cardiac event. The Phase II program is designed for patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event, and was started in 1997. The two programs had 2,784 visits in 2011. For more information about Heartwise, call 564-4207.