What is a urodynamic test? What does urodynamics mean? Urodynamics is the application of the basic principles and methods of fluid mechanics and electrophysiology to detect the flow rate, pressure and bioelectrical activity of urine in various parts of the urinary tract based on the anatomical characteristics of the tract, in order to understand the function and mechanism of urinary drainage. Urodynamics is a powerful tool for urologists to diagnose urologic disorders, as it can be used to understand the dynamic processes of urine storage and voiding in patients, and can be used to directly investigate the physiological conditions of patients with urologic symptoms. Urodynamic examination can obtain the length and pressure distribution of the urethral sphincter, the pressure changes in the bladder during bladder storage and voiding, the degree of coordination between the forceps and sphincter, and the rate of urine flow during voiding, and can also be used to understand the physiological process of bladder pressure exceeding urethral pressure during straining in patients with stress urinary incontinence. The test provides the clinician with a wealth of clinical information to make the most accurate diagnosis. The patient is examined with a cystometric tube and an anal tube placed through the urethra. If a neurourinary pathology is suspected, electrodes may be placed around the anus to obtain the information needed. What are the benefits of having a urodynamic study? Why should I undergo urodynamic testing? The main reason is that the same urological symptoms may be caused by different diseases, and if they are not differentiated, treatment may worsen the condition. For example, a woman’s urinary leakage may be due to stress incontinence caused by relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, or it may be due to urge incontinence caused by overactive bladder. It provides objective materials for how to treat and the prognosis of treatment effect, and is the most common examination method for the diagnosis and treatment of functional diseases of the lower urinary tract in clinical practice. It is the most common test used in clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. In addition, it is also of great scientific value in the study of urinary physiology, neurourinary medicine and related pharmacology. Is it painful to undergo urodynamic testing? For a complete urodynamic study, the patient will need to have a bladder and anal pressure tube inserted, and if there is a suspected urinary neurological condition, such as spinal cord injury or spinal cord surgery, electrodes may need to be placed around the anus to obtain all the information. Which patients need urodynamic testing? Patients with the following symptoms may require urodynamic testing. Special emphasis should be placed on the diagnosis by a urologist to determine if urodynamic testing is really necessary. 1. difficulty urinating, dribbling, waiting for urine, or nocturia; 2. frequent urination that interferes with daily life; 3. frequent urinary urgency and even leakage; 4. leakage during exercise, coughing, or heavy lifting; 5. poor urination after spinal cord or pelvic surgery; 6. urinary incontinence combined with memory loss and mobility problems; 7. inability to urinate or control urine after brain hemorrhage, brain infarction, or traumatic brain injury; 8. patients with spinal cord injury A complete urodynamic instrument has the following components: computer host, urodynamic application software, urodynamic processor, urine flow sensor, pressure sensor, electromyography, urethral pressure tracer puller, perfusion pump, synchronized imaging system and printer. The principle of urodynamic testing is to imitate the physiological environment in which disease symptoms occur, so that the patient can produce the usual urinary symptoms in the examination room for computerized recording and analysis. Therefore, when undergoing the test, it is most important to relax and not to deliberately cover up symptoms for fear of losing face, or to be overly nervous and unable to urinate normally, as this will greatly reduce the results of the test. In order to minimize the above-mentioned effects, the doctor or nurse will usually explain in detail how the examination is performed and the matters that need attention during the examination, so that the patient can finish the examination with peace of mind and ease. General precautions: 1, clothing: wear simple clothes to facilitate the examination; 2, make sure that you will not defecate during the examination, such as constipated patients need to self-laxation treatment; 3, patients taking anticoagulant drugs, the examination needs to stop anticoagulant drugs for 7-10 days; 4, elderly patients with unchanged mobility or poor speech and hearing need to be accompanied by family members to assist during the examination Precautions: 1, do not hide when the doctor asks about the condition; 2, do not conceal the symptoms during the examination. Do not conceal symptoms during the examination; 3. Relax during the examination, do not be nervous and cooperate with the doctor; 4. Whether medication is required before and after the examination: Normally, no antibacterial drugs are required before and after the urodynamic examination. If the patient has risk factors for infection, a single oral dose of a second-generation cephalosporin, a fluoroquinolone or a compounded sulfamethoxazole is recommended within 24 hours after the test.