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Neuromodulatory Effects of Heat
In the
human body, the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
regulates many basic functions such as body
temperature, heartbeat, respiration, blood pressure,
and all organ activities during sleep. The ANS
consists of two regulatory branches: Sympathetic and
Parasympathetic. These two often function opposite
each other. For example, the Sympathetic Nervous
System tightly controls the bladder neck and causes
its muscles to tighten, thereby holding urine inside
the bladder and preventing leakage. In contrast, the
Parasympathetic Nervous System controls the muscles
of bladder wall and forces them to contract,
squeezing the urine out of bladder.
By nature, cold has sympathetic effects and heat has
parasympathetic effects. By utilizing this simple,
but very important knowledge, many doctors recommend
to their patients suffering from Urinary Hesitation
or Urinary Retention the use of hot tubs
to relax the bladder neck muscles to facilitate
urination. The relaxation effect of heat is well
known, however it has not been widely and
conveniently available to consumers. With that in
mind, FlowPants™ was invented to mimic the relaxing
hot tub effect on-the-go!
FlowPants™ uses the transient, neuromodulatory
effects of comfortable skin heating to cause
relaxation of muscle cells in the bladder neck,
urinary sphincter, and pelvic floor. FlowPants™
delivers soothing, relaxing heat to the lower
abdominal and pelvic region, with emphasis on the
suprapubic and perineal areas.
Acute and Chronic Effects
of Heat Therapy:
Although warmth and
heat have long been associated with comfort,
relaxation, and pain relief, the benefits of heat
therapy may go well beyond the immediate effects and
may include additional therapeutic benefits such as
neuro-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.
Generally speaking, heat therapy stimulates sensory
receptors in bodily tissues and dilates the blood
vessels traveling to nearby organs. It does so
primarily by increasing the local release of nitric
oxide (the “Wonder Molecule”, which in turn
increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to both
local and nearby organs. In addition to Nitric
Oxide, heat therapy exerts other beneficial effects
through the action of Heat Shock Proteins. These
effects include boosting cellular protection,
improving the body’s immune system, and expediting
wound healing. Most people are unaware of these
scientifically proven effects of heat. Also,
compared to most other therapies, heat therapy is
quite inexpensive.
The FlowPants™ garment is an example of how the
neuro-modulatory effect of heat can be harnessed for
both immediate and long-term beneficial effects. It
is comfortable and easy to use and can be worn at
home while relaxing, at work or in the car.
For some people, heat therapy may be most effective
when combined with other treatment modalities.
Compared to medical and surgical treatments
available, heat therapy is so appealing because it
is completely non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.
Some people may experience the immediate (Acute)
effect of heat more than its long term (Chronic)
effect or vice versa. Using FlowPants™ 3-4 times a
day, 15 minutes each time, on a regular basis for
60-90 days can result in long term neuromodulatory
effects and may reduce various urinary symptoms
related to bladder dysfunction.
About BPH
Benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in men
that often begins at about 40-45 years age. The word
"hyperplasia" means enlargement. The word "benign"
means that the enlargement is not caused by cancer
or infection. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland
located beneath the bladder and in front of the
rectum. The urethra (tube that transports urine and
sperm out of the body) passes from the bladder neck
through the prostate. As a man matures, the prostate
goes through two main stages of growth, mediated by
hormone changes. The first occurs early in puberty,
when the prostate doubles in size. |
At
around age 25, the gland begins to grow again. This
second growth phase often results, years later, in
the symptoms of BPH.
Though
the prostate continues to grow during most of a
man's life, the enlargement doesn't usually cause
problems until late in life. According to the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), BPH affects
more than 50% of men over age 60 and as many as 90%
of men over the age of 80.
For FlowPants™ users,
it is as simple as Heat, Relax, Go!
Disclaimer: FlowPants™
may not work for everyone, especially those
individuals who are not sensitive to the
muscle-relaxing effects of heat. FlowPants™ is not
intended to replace any medical treatment prescribed
by your doctor and FlowPants™ is not evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FlowPants™
is only intended as a method of providing gentle,
controlled heat to specific areas to help
individuals with Urinary Hesitancy and Urinary
Retention conditions. Please consult your doctor(s)
for your medical conditions. |
