Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder affects nearly one in 11 adults in the United States. The panic of humiliation caused by an overactive bladder can harshly influence ones quality of life including work, sleep patterns and relationships. Overactive bladder is not a common part of aging. It is also denoted as urge incontinence and is a form of urinary incontinence (unintentional loss of urine). Another type of urinary incontinence is termed stress incontinence, which is resultant of anatomic weakness in the structures that stop the bladder from leaking.

Overactive Bladder Defined

An overactive bladder is a circumstance that consequences from sudden, spontaneous muscle contraction in the wall of the bladder. Overactive bladder can lead to the sudden and overwhelming urge to urinate, even when a small amount of urine is present.

Symptoms Of Overactive Bladder

Symptoms of overactive bladder include urgent need to urinate, urge incontinence, and nocturia.

Diagnosing Overactive Bladder

Over bladder diagnosis typically begins with a medical history evaluation and comprehensive physical exam, including a pelvic exam.

Causes Of Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is typically caused by muscle spasms of the bladder, resultant in the urge to urinate. Overactive bladder is predominantly an issue of the nerves and muscles of the bladder. The detrusor muscle is the chief muscle of the bladder, which often inappropriately contracts regardless of the amount of urine. Other causes linked to overactive bladder include infections, medication side effects, diet and lifestyle, and bladder and kidney stones.

Risk Factors Of Overactive Bladder

As we age, the risks increase for developing overactive bladder symptoms, and you become more vulnerable to diseases and disorders that can contribute to your bladder role, such as enlarged prostate and diabetes.

Treatment For Overactive Bladder

Treatment approaches for overactive bladder include: •Examining principal irritants – infections, bladder stones, and medication side effects that may be causing the overactive bladder symptoms. •Lifestyle Measures – Healthy diet and change in fluid intake, exercising, avoidance of caffeine and alcohol and/or smoking. •Bladder Exercises – Increase of time between urination to help increase bladder capacity and the bladder's capability to hold urine. •Pelvic Exercises – To reinforce muscles •Intermittent Catheterization – empty your bladder by passing a catheter periodically to empty it completely •Medications – To relax the bladder muscle and reduce involuntary contractions. •Sacral Nerve Stimulation – Conduct mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerve •Surgery – Surgery to increase bladder capacity and Bladder Removal

Medications For Overactive Bladder

Medications that relax the bladder can be effective for alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder and reducing episodes of urge incontinence. Drugs include Detrol, Ditropan, Oxytrol (skin patch), Sanctura, and Enablex. These medications are usually used in combination with behavioral interventions.

Prevention Of Overactive Bladder

Healthy lifestyle measures may reduce your risk of overactive bladder including: Regular daily exercise, Limit caffeine and alcohol, Quit smoking, Manage chronic conditions, Explore pelvic floor exercises.