Complementary Alternative And Integrative Therapies And Practices
There may be steps you can take on your own to improve your bladder control, either with or without medical therapies.
Keeping a bladder diary tracking your urination as well as food and beverage intake, and other activities can help you figure out what foods or behaviors might contribute to OAB.
Changing your urination behaviors may help train your brain to send signals to urinate in a more regular way. Techniques that may be helpful include:
- Delayed voiding
- Timed urination
Its a good idea to talk with your doctor about these techniques before trying any of them.
You may also benefit from exercises that use your pelvic floor muscles, including the following:
- Kegels This exercise involves squeezing your pelvic muscles tight for a few seconds, then relaxing and repeating this for a set number of repetitions.
- Quick Flicks When you have the urge to urinate, you may be able to help control it by quickly squeezing and relaxing your pelvic muscles over and over.
What May Interact With This Medication
- Antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
- Medications for fungal infections, like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole or voriconazole
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Reducing Nocturia And Getting Better Sleep
Because it can have significant health consequences and connections to other illnesses, it is important to talk to your doctor about bothersome nocturia. A doctor can help identify the most likely cause and appropriate therapy for any specific individual.
When an underlying condition is causing nocturia, treating that condition may reduce the nighttime trips to the bathroom. Many patients with nocturia are treated with medications or have adjustments to their existing medications .
A number of lifestyle changes can help reduce problematic nocturia. These changes are designed to reduce nocturnal urine production and include:
- Reducing evening fluid intake, especially before bed.
- Elevating the legs an hour or more before bed in order to reduce the resorption and conversion of peripheral edema to urine during sleep.
Focusing on sleep hygiene, which includes your bedroom environment and sleep habits, can reduce awakenings during which you notice a need to go to the bathroom. Examples of healthy sleep tips include:
Working with a doctor and making lifestyle changes can reduce the number of bathroom trips you take each night, but they often may not eliminate them completely. For that reason, its important to take steps to make those trips as safe as possible, especially for older people.
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Treatment And Medication Options For Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder may be treated with lifestyle changes, drugs, office procedures, implantable devices, or surgery.
Guidelines from the American Urologic Association to treat non-neurogenic OAB, updated in 2019, recommend asfirst line treatment behavioral therapies such as
- bladder training
- fluid management -guideline” rel=”nofollow”> 4)
If lifestyle measures arent enough, youll most likely be prescribed a small dose of a drug, which can be increased as needed to control symptoms.
If drugs dont deliver the relief you need, your doctor may give you Botox injections to help relax your bladder muscle.
Both office-based procedures and implantable devices can deliver electrical impulses to the nerves that communicate with your bladder, helping it relax.
In rare cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to increase your bladders capacity or to remove it completely.
What Causes Elderly Incontinence
A range of factors can lead to bowel and bladder problems, but a common challenge that older adults face is functional incontinence. What exactly does functional mean in this context, you may be wondering?
Cognitive, mobility, and sensory limitations can stop elderly people from accessing a toilet when they need it. This could be due to poor eyesight, arthritis, or other health issues. Environmental factors can also play a role.
The possible causes of incontinence in elderly people dont end there, though. Here are some others to be aware of:
This ones for guys only
Prostatitis can cause urethral pain and urinary frequency. Around two million health care appointments in the U.S. occur each year due to prostatitis.
Constipation can be double trouble for elderly people with incontinence, because a full, congested bowel puts more pressure on the bladder. To add to this, frequent straining when trying to pass a stool may fatigue the pelvic floor muscles.
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Causes Of Total Incontinence
Total incontinence is when your bladder cannot store any urine at all. It can mean you either pass large amounts of urine constantly, or you pass urine occasionally with frequent leaking in between.
Total incontinence can be caused by:
- a problem with your bladder from birth
- injury to your spinal cord this can disrupt the nerve signals between your brain and your bladder
Signs And Symptoms Of Overactive Bladder
Symptoms of overactive bladder vary from person to person, and may include:
- Sudden, urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty holding in urine
- Frequent urination
- Unintentional loss of urine with urgent need to urinate
- Waking up more than once or twice at night to urinate
The defining symptom of overactive bladder is sudden, strong urges to urinate. You may fear that youll leak urine on the way to the bathroom.
Even if you dont actually leak urine, OAB can disrupt your life and may cause significant distress.
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Emerging Options For Oab
The 3-adrenergic receptor is the most abundant of the AR subtypes in human detrusor muscle, suggesting that this subtype mediates detrusor relaxation. The mechanism by which -AR agonists induce relaxation of smooth muscles is not fully understood, but it is believed that an intracellular pathway for smooth muscle relaxation is activated by cAMP. Some animal studies of 3-adrenoceptor agonist have revealed increased bladder capacity, no change in micturition pressure and no change in residual volume . Selective 3-AR agonists should have a theoretical advantage over non-selective -AR agonists, as the latter may exhibit serious cardiovascular side effects like tachycardia or decrease of blood pressure by stimulating 1- and 2-adrenoceptors .
Understanding The Causes Of Nighttime Urinary Incontinence In Men
After a long tiring day, you have settled in bed under the covers for a restful night of sleep. But just as you start drifting off into dreamland, you feel sudden dampness between your legs. Youve wet the bed something you havent done since you were maybe five years old. If this sounds all too familiar, along with constant impromptu bathroom visits interrupting your sleep, you are not alone. Nearly 50 percent of adults aged 50 to 79 suffer from Nocturia, also known as nighttime incontinence. These constant visits to the bathroom can prevent you from getting a good nights sleep and wreak havoc on your overall health. So, lets learn about the causes of nighttime urinary incontinence in men.
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Symptoms Of An Overactive Bladder
The primary symptom of an overactive bladder is a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate. Other symptoms include a frequent desire to urinate and an involuntary passage of urine, also known as urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence in cases of an overactive bladder is mainly urge incontinence which means the involuntary passage of urine that occurs when a person does not promptly attend to the sudden, strong urge to urinate.
Tips For Getting Your Groove Back
There are some things you can do to ward off discomfort or embarrassment during sex.
Talk about it. First, know that your partner will probably be a lot more understanding than you expect. Then bring it up before you have intercourse. âDonât wait until it happens and say, âOh, guess what?ââ Denson says. âItâs better to be upfront and honest ahead of time.â
Plan. Prepare for sex, just as you do for bedtime. Double-void, cut back on fluids, and avoid foods and beverages that are likely to irritate your bladder.
Keep up the Kegels. Doing these several times a day and even during intercourse will help prevent urine leakage during sex.
All of these approaches can help you manage your overactive bladder at night, letting you get a better nightâs sleep and have a more active and satisfying sex life. But Sanz adds that if your overactive bladder is really causing you problems, thereâs no reason you need to live with it.
âThere is hope. There is treatment,â he says. You need to be evaluated by a urogynecologist, who will talk to you about three types of treatment: behavioral modification, medication, and surgical procedures are available, he says. âYou donât have to let an overactive bladder interfere with your life.â
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What Are The Causes Of Male Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder is caused by abnormal messages in the nerves that supply the bladder that causes the bladder muscle to contract out of a mans control.
In men the commonest cause of OAB is blockage i.e. due to prostate enlargement that makes it harder for the urine to be passed and as a result the bladder has to work harder and becomes overactive.
Some cases of male overactive bladder are idiopathic i.e. the man does not have a defined or identifiable neurological abnormality but the bladder nerve pathways are nevertheless misbehaving.
Other cases of OAB are due to neurogenic detrusor overactivity i.e. the person has a definite neurological problem identified e.g. a spinal cord injury, past stroke or neurological condition such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinsons disease.
How Is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed
A healthcare provider can diagnose overactive bladder by reviewing your symptoms and conducting a physical examination of the organs around your pelvis and rectum. They may ask you questions such as:
- What are your symptoms?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- Do you have a family history of overactive bladder?
- What over-the-counter and prescription drugs do you take?
- What kinds of fluids do you drink during the day?
- What time of day do you drink certain fluids?
- What do you eat during the day?
They may also refer you to a urologist. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions that affect your urinary tract and reproductive system.
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What Is Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder is a urological condition that causes the urgent and frequent need to urinate. The urge may be difficult to stop and might lead to involuntary loss of urine .
With OAB, bladder muscles and nerves do not operate properly, resulting in inaccurate and often frequent signals to the brain to contract the bladder muscles to release urine when the bladder does not need to be emptied. OAB can also occur because bladder muscles are too active, contracting frequently causing an urge to urinate.
Typically, adults urinate four to seven times a day. Patients with OAB, however, may use the bathroom up to 30 times a day and may be unable to reach the bathroom before urination.
OAB frequently disrupts the life of the men who have it. Many men are uncomfortable even talking about these problems so they fail to seek treatment. OAB can cause them to feel nervous about being out in public because they might release urine involuntarily. Frequent urges to urinate can send them to the bathroom constantly. Men can begin to shy away from social activities and can experience depression due to OAB.
How Do I Control Urges When Resetting My Bladder
Controlling your urges is a key step in resetting your bladder. The following strategies may help:
- Stop what youre doing and stay put. Stand quietly or sit down, if possible. Remain as still as possible. When youre still, its easier to control your urges.
- Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles quickly several times . Dont fully relax in between Kegels.
- Relax the rest of your body. Take several deep breaths to help you let go of any tension.
- Concentrate on suppressing your urge to pee.
- Wait until the urge goes away.
- Walk to the bathroom at a normal pace. Dont rush. Continue squeezing your pelvic floor muscles quickly while you walk.
Patience is important. Retraining your bladder usually takes at least six to eight weeks to see results. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any questions or arent happy with your progress. They may prescribe medications for you to take while youre resetting your bladder to help you achieve the best outcome.
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Interstitial Cystitis And Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder is also one of the main symptoms of interstitial cystitis , a condition with symptoms including intense pelvic pain, bladder frequency, and bladder urgency.
Interstitial cystitis is a spectrum disorder that can be mild in some patients and severe in others. While IC was once seen exclusively as a bladder condition, it is now viewed as a condition of the bladder, pelvic floor muscles, and often the nervous system. Medical professionals say that all aspects of the condition need to be addressed for healing to occur.
Can Pelvic Floor Exercises Treat Urge Incontinence
Yes, pelvic floor exercises can strengthen your muscles that support your urinary system. These exercises can improve symptoms.
Its important to target and use the correct muscles . A physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor disorders can teach you the proper technique. This healthcare provider may use biofeedback to ensure you get the most benefit from the exercises. It can take four to six weeks to see improvements.
While some people need to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, others have spasm or excess tension in the pelvic floor muscles that can make their overactive bladder worse. In this case, you can work with a pelvic floor physical therapist on relaxing and coordinating these muscles.
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Overactive Bladder In Men: A Practical Approach
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Overactive bladder is a significant source of morbidity in males, with a prevalence of 1016%, and with only a small fraction of these being treated.13 OAB results in considerable and progressive deleterious effects on the productivity and quality of life of patients, leading to a substantial economic burden of disease, related to increased absenteeism, worry about interruption and scheduling of meetings, early retirement, and permanent disability.4,5
Symptoms of OAB are often attributed to bladder outflow obstruction in males, resulting in misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. Given its prevalence, QoL impact, and the availability of initial non-invasive and well-tolerated management options, OAB is often best addressed in the primary care setting.
How Should I Use This Medication
Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medication with or without food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 5 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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Overactive Bladder Symptoms To Look Out For
The main symptoms of OAB include these signs:
- Sudden, strong urges to urinate
- Frequent urination, often defined as eight or more times within 24 hours
- Urge incontinence, or leaking urine after getting the urge to urinate
- Nocturia, defined as waking up twice or more during the night to urinate
Urgency is considered the defining symptom of overactive bladder. You can have OAB without leaking urine or waking up at night to urinate.
Whether or not you leak urine may depend on how quickly you can get to a toilet when you develop the urge to urinate. Being close to a toilet most of the time can reduce this risk.
The benchmark of urinating eight or more times within 24 hours is meant as a starting point for evaluating urinary frequency, not as a defining trait of OAB.
How frequently you urinate can depend on many factors, including your intake of fluids throughout the day. For this reason, it may be normal for one person to urinate much more frequently than someone else, without a strong accompanying sense of urgency.
Similarly, it may be normal to wake up at night to urinate if youve consumed a large amount of fluid before bed, or consumed alcohol or caffeine late in the day.
But if waking up multiple times a night becomes a pattern, it may indicate that your lifestyle or a health condition is contributing to frequent urination.
Causes Of Overactive Bladder In Men
About two-thirds of overactive bladder cases in men are due to benign prostatic hyperplasia , also called an enlarged prostate. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that urine passes through from the bladder out of the body.
Although an enlarged prostate does not account for all cases of OAB in men, many who are treated for the symptoms are assumed to have an obstruction in the bladder caused by an enlarged prostate.
Age increases a mans risk of getting OAB. Age also increases a mans risk for BPH, which can lead to OAB.
An infection in the bladder, bladder stones and bladder cancer can cause symptoms that lead to OAB. Neurological conditions, such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinsons disease, cause nerve damage that results in sending the incorrect signals to the bladder that causes OAB. Temporary factors, such as drinking a lot of caffeinated or alcoholic fluids, taking medications that increase urine output or having constipation, might increase the need to urinate.
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