Overactive bladder is a common disease that is also known as OAB. As the name suggests overactive bladder is such a type of a disease where a person feels uncontrollable and a sudden desire to urinate. That’s why in most cases it produces a lot of problems as a person has to go to the bathroom for repeated intervals. Research has shown that in some cases it also becomes the result of some urinary disorders as well. So it is critical to understand its causes, symptoms and effective treatment options if you or your beloved one is suffering from overactive bladder. So today’s article is all about. After reading this comprehensive article you will be in a position to get complete information related to overactive bladder and its treatment options. So without any further delay let’s start this topic.
What is an Overactive Bladder?
The issue of overactive bladder arises at that time when the bladder muscles start contracting unintentionally. These spontaneous contractions of the bladder muscles result in an urgent need to urinate. This urgency also comes even if the bladder is not full from urine. This whole process is really a disturbing one in your daily routine. It is not only a waste of time but also makes a person embarrassed and creates stress also.
Causes of Overactive Bladder
Remember nothing actually happens without any reason and causes. There are certain factors and causes that result in creating a disorder of overactive bladder. Here in this part of the article we are going to talk about those factors which are the root causes of overactive bladder. Let’s have a look.
Neurological Disorders
Medical research has shown that neurological disorders can be the reason for overactive bladder. There are various types of neurological conditions but disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis can lead to overactive bladder. Now try to understand how these neurological disorders result in OAB. It is because sometimes these disorders affect those nerves that are responsible for controlling the bladder. Due to this situation the condition of OAB arises.
Diabetes
Diabetes is another factor in case of overactive bladder. The increase in blood sugar level can harm bladder controlling nerves and affect their functionalities.
Urinary Tract Infections
It is also found that consistent infections can also lead to over activity of the bladder.
Hormonal Changes
This disorder mostly has been observed in women. During Menopause there are chances to affect the functionality of the bladder due to the hormonal changes. When this happens it can lead to overactive bladder.
Medications
There are certain medicines which can also increase the production of urine and eventually result in OAB. The best example in this case can be diuretics.
Obesity
Overweight or obesity is not beneficial in any case whether it is overactive bladder or any other kind of disease. Research has shown that due to the extra weight of the body it applies pressure on the bladder. That’s why the situation of urgency in case of urination arises.
Aging
Aging is another factor that contributes towards overactive bladder. With the passage of time as a person becomes aged the bladder muscle starts to weaken. In this situation it becomes very hard for bladder muscles to control urination.
Symptoms of Overactive Bladder
It is of utmost importance to know the symptoms of Overactive bladder because it is actually a first step towards its treatment. There are some common symptoms that you can observe and after that just go to your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Urgency
The first and common symptom in case of overactive bladder is the urgency to urinate. A person in this situation feels an urgent urination that becomes uncontrollable.
Frequency
If you are urinating more than 8 times in 24 hours then you must notice this condition and go to your healthcare provider for further information about this.
Nocturia
This is one of the common symptoms of overactive bladder that a person wakes up many times during the night in order to urinate.
Emphasis on Irregularity
In this case a person feels sudden urgency to urinate but before that urine discharges from the bladder unintentionally.
Diagnosis of Overactive Bladder
After knowing symptoms the next step towards treatment is the diagnosis. For this purpose it becomes very important to go to your doctor for thorough evaluation. There are some steps for comprehensive diagnosis that the healthcare provider mostly follows. Let’s find out.
Medical History
Medical history is very important for an effective diagnosis. Just discuss your symptoms and medicines if you are talking with your healthcare provider.
Physical Examination
It is very crucial to undergo the process of physical examination. Why is it important? In order to check out some basic health issues that can be the reason to produce symptoms, physical examination is really important.
Urine Tests
Urine tests are performed in order to make sure that there are some infections or other disorders.
Bladder Diary
When you observe symptoms as we have talked about earlier in this article it is important to make a bladder diary. Start keeping a record of what type of fluid you consume and what is the timing. Similarly what is the frequency of the urination and what is the leakage time of urine if any. This record will help your doctor to understand your condition perfectly.
Urodynamic Testing
Urodynamic test is very important in order to measure the capability of bladder and urethra to store and discharge urine.
Effective Treatments For Overactive Bladder
There are a variety of treatment options that are available in order to treat overactive bladder. Remember the treatment option will be selected according to the situation of that particular person. This part of the article is very important. So stay with us with much more focus at the time. Let’s talk about some effective treatment options.
Behavioral Therapies
Bladder Training
As the name suggests in bladder training a person learns how to schedule bathroom timing and gradually increases the time period of urination.
Pelvic Floor Exercise
In order to make pelvic floor muscles of the bladder strong, pelvic floor exercises are helpful. The best example of pelvic floor exercises is the kegel exercises.
Changes in Lifestyle
With the change of lifestyle you can also improve the time period of urination. Try to reduce consuming caffeine and alcohol. Besides that, it is very important to maintain a healthy weight. By doing this you can reduce symptoms to a greater extent.
Medication
Anticholinergics
Another best option for effective treatment is to go for taking medicine. Anticholinergics are considered best in order to reduce symptoms of overactive bladder. The function of this medicine is to relax the muscles of the bladder. This results in reducing symptoms of frequency and urgency of urination.
Beta 3 Agonists
Beta 3 Agonists medicine is also useful because it relaxes the bladder and consequently increases its capacity to store urine.
Tropical Estrogen
Tropical Estrogen is mostly beneficial for women especially for postmenopausal women. How to use topical estrogen is the question at the moment?
Just apply estrogen because it can improve functionality of the bladder and also reduces its symptoms to a greater extent.
Medical Devices
Bladder Botox Injections
Third treatment option for overactive bladder is the use of medical devices. Bladder Botox Injections can also be used in this context. Botox actually is injected into the bladder muscles in order to reduce contractions and increase the capacity to store urine.
Nerve Stimulation Devices
As the name suggests nerve stimulation devices are used for sending electrical impulses to those nerves that are responsible to control the bladder. Now there is a simple question about how these devices are inserted into the bladder. Actually these devices are implanted under the skin.
Surgical Treatment
Bladder Augmentation
In this surgical treatment option the size of the bladder increases. For this purpose a piece of the intestine is used to enlarge it. Remember surgical treatment is the final option when all the previous options do not work.
Urinary Diversion
This type of surgical treatment is given at that time when the situation becomes severe. In this method the flow of urine is diverted outside the body to a stoma.
Support and Guidance
It can be challenging for you to live with an overactive bladder. But there is good news for you as many people have recovered from the situation by implementing the following supportive and guidance strategies.
Education
It is very important for you to understand the condition of overactive bladder very well. When you understand the condition that you’re facing then you can go for valid available treatment options.
Support Groups
It is obvious that you may be disheartened in the middle of the journey. So you need emotional support and expert guidance from those people who are facing the same issues and challenges that you have.
Communication
Do not hesitate to describe your issues with your friends and family and your doctor. It is because open communication is the only way to get you treated in time and effectively.
Conclusion
Although overactive bladder is a common disease it is really disturbing and embarrassing. But don’t be confused because there are so many effective treatment options that are available for you. Before going onward it is crucial to understand its causes and try to know those treatment options that are effective. Many people across the world have successfully got rid of overactive bladders and are living their lives with joy and happiness. If you observe that you are suffering from overactive bladder then don’t be hesitant. Just go to your doctor and get medical advice and valuable treatment plans that actually work.