Causes And Risk Factors
Aging
OAB occurs in both men and women. Its possible to have overactive bladder at any point in your life. But, its especially common in older adults. The prevalence of OAB in people younger than 50 years of age is less than 10 percent. After the age of 60, the prevalence increases to 20 to 30 percent.
The following are some of the other most common underlying causes and risk factors associated with OAB symptoms:
Nerve Damage
A healthy, normal functioning bladder holds urine until it gets full and is prompted to empty by nerve signals. However, when nerve damage occurs in the body, the muscles surrounding the urethra can be too loose. This undesirable looseness can cause someone to become incontinent. What can cause nerve damage that can then lead to bladder leakage? Some possibilities include:
- Back or pelvis surgery
- Stroke
Weak pelvic muscles
When a man or womans pelvic floor muscles are weak, bladder control issues can happen. The pelvic floor muscles are like a sling that holds up the uterus and bladder. For women, a pregnancy and childbirth can often lead to a stretching and weakening of the vital pelvic floor muscles. When pelvic floor muscles are compromised for this reason or another, the bladder can then sag out of place. The opening of the urethra also stretches and urine easily leaks out.
Menopause
Extra weight or obesity
Diuretic medications
The Best Vitamins And Supplements To Support The Urinary System
Many of us take for granted the routineness of going to the bathroom simply to urinate. Most often were at home, at the office or in school and when we get the urge, we get up and go and dont think much of it. After all, its nature calling. Its a different story, though, for anyone with a urinary system problem such as a urinary tract infection , which usually is accompanied by pain as well as other symptoms that tell us something is wrong.
For anyone suffering from a urinary tract infection, there is nothing routine or normal about it the pain can be sharp and unsettling. Yet, it is a relatively common affliction that affects millions of people every year, per hopkinsmedicine.org, with women much more likely to contract a UTI.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Frequent urination
- Pain below the ribs, either in the back or on the sides
- Women might feel discomforting pressure above the pubic bone
Another problem for men is a change in urinary health related to an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , per prostatesupplements.com. When the prostate enlarges, it can press in against the urethra, with that squeezing action hindering the ability to thoroughly empty the bladder, producing residual urine, possibly leading to a UTI.
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Altering The Bladder With Bladder Augmentation Surgery
When all other approaches to strengthen and retrain the bladder have failed, you may need to alter the bladder itself. This surgery is typically used as a last resort and in only the most severe cases of an overactive bladder.
Bladder augmentation involves enlarging the bladder with a section of your large intestine, so theres more physical space to store urine in and less pressure to urinate frequently. The surgery is the most invasive and complicated procedure for solving overactive bladder problems, and includes a long recovery time and possible lasting consequences. Once you have bladder augmentation surgery, you will cease to be able to urinate naturally you will have to use a catheter or stoma.
The good news is that many, if not most cases of an overactive bladder can be very well controlled with healthy lifestyle changes, and natural and traditional medical treatments. Its important to remember that not all of the listed treatment options may work for everyone.
Remember to discuss the above overactive bladder treatment options with your doctor before beginning them.
Botox For An Overactive Bladder
Although not commonly used, Botox is a handy muscle relaxer for a variety of conditions, including an overactive bladder. The compound is injected right into the bladder, and patients can experience fewer uncomfortable contractions and increased bladder capacity for up to a year after the injection has taken place.
However, Botox isnt without its dangers. Some patients find that after the procedure they retain urine too much, and experience pain and complications . For these reasons, Botox for overactive bladder treatment is only considered for certain people.
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Overactive Bladder Vs Urinary Incontinence
Overactive Bladder
- Condition in which the bladder can no longer hold urine normally.
- Often feel a sudden urge to urinate or experience an accident.
- Defining symptom is urgency, or the inability to postpone urination.
- OAB is typically a chronic problem
- Often requires strengthening of pelvic floor muscles to get rid of symptoms like urinary incontinence.
- Symptoms including urinary incontinence are ongoing.
- Bladder muscle problems at the root of it.
- Can result from regularly consuming alcohol and caffeine in large quantities.
- Serious health conditions can lead to OAB including a stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis , or Parkinsons disease.
Urinary Incontinence
- Is when you lose control of your bladder.
- Isnt a condition its a symptom.
- Is a symptom of OAB.
- Can be caused by a loss or weakening of control over the urinary sphincter.
- Can be a sign of something simple like a singular occasion of too much fluid consumption, a temporary problem.
- Is a common symptom of a UTI along with a burning sensation during urination and/or blood in the urine.
Vitamin D For Your Bladder
A lack of vitamin D doesnt just impact your bone healthit can affect your bladder health as well. Research suggests that as women age, if they dont get enough vitamin D, the control of their pelvic floor muscles can decrease as well, leading to accidental urination.10 Conversely, women who maintain healthy vitamin D levels also tend to maintain better control over their pelvic floor muscles.
Men may also not get enough vitamin D on a regular basis. A recent study that evaluated the relationship between male urinary issues and vitamin D levels found a clear correlation between the two. When the men in the study increased their vitamin D intake, they witness significant relief of their urinary health issues.
Vitamin D Benefits & Uses
You might also want to check out Say Hello to the Sunshine Vitamin: Top Foods High in Vitamin D.
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What Vitamins To Take When You Have A Uti
Urinary tract infections, such as cystitis and urethritis, cause symptoms such as a burning sensation when you wee and cloudy or bloody urine. They can be incredibly uncomfortable and youll probably want to speed up your recovery. If youd like to manage a UTI naturally, we have a blogpost with some fantastic tips. Additionally, some vitamins that may help are:
- Vitamin C in this case, large amounts of Vitamin C reduce the growth of bacteria by acidifying the urine. You can find it naturally in fruit, such as cranberry juice9 and oranges
- Probiotics. Present in fermented foods, like Greek yoghurt and kefir or as a supplement, probiotics contain good bacteria that prevents bacteria from growing
- D-Mannose this is a sugar that prevents bacteria from sticking to the lining of your urinary tract. It is found in cranberries, apples and peaches, although you could take a supplement10
We hope this article has given you some ideas on vitamins to introduce to your diet to help urinary tract symptoms. If you want to make changes to your diet or supplement regime, iD recommends speaking to a healthcare professional first
1 Supplements, Interstitial Cystitis Association, 2 May 2016, Source: https://www.ichelp.org/living-with-ic/interstitial-cystitis-and-diet/supplements/
2 Absorption, metabolism and functions of -cryptoxanthin, Betty J. Burri, Michael R. La Frano and Chenghao Zhu, 11 January 2016, Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892306/
5 Ibid
Bladder Health And Vitality
Keeping the bladder and the urinary tract healthy is another way to reduce urinary incontinence. Sadly women often find themselves battling bladder problems quite consistently.
The fact that the urinary tract in women is shorter than those found in men could be one of the primary reasons women suffer from bladder control-related issues.
For instance, women tend to experience Urinary Tract infections or UTIs more often than men. These types of conditions can damage or inflame the urethra, which in turn makes bladder control next to impossible.
Other bladder related issues that can create urinary incontinence include:
- Neurological disorders
- Tumors and stones
- Constipation and obstruction
Individuals can also contribute to the overactive bladder dilemma via the overconsumption of caffeine, alcohol, and medications that cause incontinence.
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Considered The Best Urinary Incontinence Pills
Urinary incontinence can be an extremely embarrassing problem and is often an ongoing battle. Those suffering from overactive or weak bladders often find themselves shying away from everyday life activities and exercises.
Sadly, avoiding social contact can significantly impact mental health and quality of life.
Confitrol24 assists sufferers by providing much-needed relief from the most debilitating aspects of urinary incontinence. Among the very best urinary incontinence pills, Confitrol24 works by attacking the leading causes of incontinence improper nerve response and deteriorating functionality of the bladder.
Drink Plenty Of Water
It may be tempting to drink less water if you are affected by bladder weakness. However, not drinking enough could be the reason behind your problem. Thats because the less you drink, the less your bladder may be able to hold. Aim for six to eight glasses of water a day to keep your bladder healthy.
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How Cbd May Help With Overactive Bladder
The ECS is present in almost all areas of the body.
Evidence suggests that the components of the ECS, including anandamide and cannabinoid receptors, may be involved in bladder function regulation at several levels of the urination pathway.
Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid orendocannabinoid. Research indicates that the body has receptors for the cannabinoids CB1 and CB2 in the brain, bladder, and other body parts.
CB1, and to a lesser degree CB2, work at different levels on the detrusor muscles. Studies suggest that CB1 receptors may affect urination, and their manipulation with cannabinoids from marijuana may help with overactive bladder .
The detrusor muscle contracts during urination to push the urine out of the bladder and into the urethra. When the detrusor muscle is relaxed, it allows the storage of urine in the urinary bladder.
Individuals with OAB may experience urinary symptoms like sudden and frequent urination urges that are hard to control.
While no conclusive data can validate CBDs benefits forOAB, recent results are promising.
A 2020 study hypothesized that a sudden strong need to urinate that is difficult to delay may result from damage to a descending pathway that starts with the excitatory neurons in the prefrontal cortex.
Meanwhile, research shows that CBD may act on targets throughout the brain, including the prefrontal cortex. Hence, CBD may help individuals with OAB.
Incontinence Caused By Diet Or Medicine
Incontinence caused by diet is easy enough to treat. All that is required is a simple change in food, routines, and lifestyle. One of the principal aggravating factors of diet-related incontinence is the consumption of caffeine or carbonated drinks.
Anyone who suffers from this type of urinary incontinence will likely need to avoid the food and drink stressors that lead to bladder leakage.
People using medication that causes incontinence may require a little more assistance. They would do well to investigate what the best urinary incontinence pills are to
Although Confitrol24 is one of the best urinary incontinence pills around, you will still need to seek your doctors advice before use. The doctor will assess if the herbal ingredients in Confitrol24 conflict with the dosage or types of medication you use.
Thankfully, Confitrol24 is an herbal supplement and will likely be safe for use in conjunction with most medications.
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Overactive Bladder: Causes + 8 Natural Remedies
Have you ever thought about your bladder control or how often you urinate each day? Probably not, unless youve experienced a bladder control problem like overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder cannot hold urine normally. One of the most common symptoms of this health problem is urinary incontinence or leaking urine. Many people suffer in silence, but if you are currently experiencing a bladder-related difficulty you are truly not alone. Its estimated that at least 33 million Americans have overactive bladder. ” rel=”nofollow”> 1)
Sometimes a person experiencing overactive bladder doesnt have any underlying health problem. Other times, an overactive bladder can be the result of medications or other more serious health issues, such as diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis or Parkinsons disease. OAB can also occur after surgery or childbirth. How much is too much when it comes to urination? People with OAB typically have to urinate more than 8 times per day or more than once at night.
Its crucial to address overactive bladder symptoms right away. Early treatment can reduce, or even completely get rid of, the highly unwanted symptoms. With some time and effort, there are several very doable and natural ways you can overcome an overactive bladder.
Anticholinergic Drugs For Overactive Bowel
This particular class of medication is used to control the muscle spasms that lead to overactive bladder. Anticholinergic drugs focus on blocking the nerve signals that typically trigger inopportune bladder contractions, reduce the frequency, and the severity of your urge to urinate.
There are several anticholinergic drugs to choose from and they all require a doctors prescription. Most people have very favourable reactions to anticholinergics, though there are a few possible side effects which may include dry mouth, constipation, increased heartbeat and/or drowsiness.
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Make Regular And Controlled Visits
Double void is another approach to dealing with OAB. This technique involves relieving yourself and then, a few minutes later, going again. This deliberate approach to bathroom visits helps you to make sure that after passing urine a second time, your bladder is mostly or completely empty. The main benefit of this approach is that you can avoid having to return to the bathroom just a few minutes after your initial visit, which is both a nuisance and sometimes embarassing.
Types Of Urinary Incontinence
Loss of bladder control occurs for various reasons and is often provoked by several factors. These factors may act alone or combine into symptoms that lead to the top four bladder control issues.
Incontinence may be chronic or acute and fall into one of the categories of stress, urgency, functional, or overflow.
Stress incontinence This type of incontinence can be incredibly embarrassing because it generally occurs suddenly and without warning. This kind of bladder control issue occurs without warning when laughing, coughing, sitting, or lifting a heavy object.
Urgency incontinence A problematic form of incontinence occurs when you cant seem to hold your urine long enough to reach the toilet. Because conditions like urinary tract infections can cause this kind of incontinence, you must make an appointment with your doctor right away if this happens consistently.
Overflow incontinence Anyone who has held it in too long knows what it feels like to suddenly lose control of their bladder. Unfortunately, some people may experience this on a regular basis due to several factors.
Functional incontinence Urine leakage happens when an individual has difficulty racing to the bathroom due to injury or debilitating medical conditions. Functional incontinence works in tandem with overflow incontinence as the ability to move or move quickly can result in an overly full bladder.
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And Throw A Bit Of Vitamin D In There As Well
Something else that you can do to your diet is throw in a bit of Vitamin D.
While the primary use of this vitamin has been to promote calcium intake over the years, some studies have shown that it has positive effects on the bladder as well.
Its worth mentioning that the daily requirement of vitamin D is 600 IU and most people fall well short of this.
Considering the fact that studies have specifically targeted vitamin D in relation to incontinence issues, it might be time to fine-tune your diet.
Can A Supplement Help You Regain Bladder Control
All-natural herbal remedies are a useful tool for many aspects of health, including bladder control. When you take the right combination of plant compounds, you may find yourself with fewer symptoms. This might mean fewer nighttime bathroom trips or less worry about leaking or urgency during the day.
to try BetterWOMAN and see what improvements you notice over the following weeks and months.
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How To Exercise Your Pelvic Floor
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Go slowSlowly tighten and pull up your pelvic floor muscles as hard as you can and for as long as you can, then rest for four seconds and repeat. Build up gradually until you can do 10 slow contractions at a time, holding them for 10 seconds each with rests of four seconds in between.
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Quick contractionsTo get your pelvic floor muscles into shape so that they can react quickly to sudden stresses, such as coughing, laughing or exercising, practice drawing in the muscles quickly, holding them for just a second before relaxing. Build up to 10 quick contractions in succession.