Thursday, March 28, 2024

Do I Have An Overactive Bladder

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Prognosis Of Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder: What is OAB?

Overactive bladder is a set of symptoms, not a disease in its own right. How long your OAB lasts, and whether it gets better or worse, will depend on the underlying causes.

You may be able to reduce the burden of OAB through lifestyle changes, drug treatments, or certain nonsurgical or surgical procedures.

Section : Research Needs And Future Directions

Figure 4: OAB Patient Groups

Epidemiology. Studies assessing how OAB develops and its natural history and progression are required. The timing and circumstances around which OAB develops and associated risk factors are not yet well-understood. While not specifically targeting epidemiology of OAB, there are large community-based studies that assess prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence.280, 281 By longitudinally studying these community cohorts, these investigators have developed a new hypothesis that lower urinary tract symptoms are likely related to other systemic diseases/conditions.282, 283 Continuation of these types of studies could lead to potential preventive interventions for OAB symptoms and/or utilization of treatments that target the associated systemic conditions rather than the bladder. Epidemiologic studies provide a better cross sectional estimation of the overall population impact of OAB-type symptoms.284

Clinical studies should use validated standardized measures to report subjective outcomes. Objective outcomes should include frequency, nocturia, urgency, incontinence episode frequency and reporting of the variance for each of these measures. Furthermore, the Guideline Panels meta-analytic efforts were hampered by lack of consistent reporting of variance information for baseline and post-treatment measurements.

Also Check: Treating Overactive Bladder In The Elderly

Absorbency Products Can Help

No matter how fast you can run, sometimes that bathroom is just a little bit too far in the distance. Dont let yourself get caught in an embarrassing situation There is a wide range of products available that are discreet and comfortable.

Incontinence products excel in their absorbency and wont leak or become lumpy when they get wet. They help control odor and minimize contact between urine and your skin, preventing the development of a rash or other irritation.

Many incontinence products are available, from discrete pads with little bulk that can be slipped into underwear, to disposable adult-sized underwear with in-built absorbency and easy-tear sides. Gender-specific products account for the different requirements of men and women, and there are many reusable and washable options available.

Common brands include Attends, Because, Tena, Tranquility, Depend, Prevail and Poise.

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Don’t: Drink Too Much Alcohol

Alcohol causes your body to make more urine, which means you’ll have to go to the bathroom more often. Alcohol also stimulates your bladder, which means you’ll feel it more urgently, too. Drinking in the evening can make overnight control especially hard.

You may not want to give up alcohol completely, but it’s a good place to start. If that helps, you can have a drink every now and then, as long as your symptoms don’t get worse.

Talking To Your Partner About Your Overactive Bladder

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Wondering how to talk to your partner about your overactive bladder? Read our tips for starting the incontinence conversation with poise and confidence.

Approach the subject head-on, rather than waiting for your partner to ask you about it. If youâve been behaving in a way thatâs out of character, the truth could come as a relief to your partner, who may have been struggling to understand whatâs going on.

Here are some more suggestions for how to talk to your loved ones about overactive bladders and how it impacts you and your lifestyle.

How do you start the conversation?Your partner may have noticed or commented on your frequent trips to the bathroom, or your reluctance to join in on certain activities, so this is a great place to start. For example, you could introduce the conversation by saying, âIâve been needing to go to the bathroom much more than I used toâthatâs why I have trouble enjoying my time in places like movie theaters or long car rides. Itâs difficult to get to the bathroom in places like that.â This will help you explain your change in behavior, while letting your partner know how a sensitive bladder is affecting you.

Go Slow so They Can Take Time to Understand itAlthough your partner will most likely be supportive, itâs important to remember that they may have no idea what youâre going through or why. Tell them about your OAB symptoms and describe how theyâre affecting your life and relationship.

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What Are The Causes Of Overactive Bladder

In many cases, the cause of OAB is not easily identifiable. OAB symptoms are more common as one gets older, but should not be considered an untreatable consequence of aging. Also, OAB can occur in young women as well. Some women will experience OAB after childbirth or pelvic surgery. Certain neurological conditions can cause OAB symptoms including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury.

Causes Of Overactive Bladder

To understand the cause of Overactive Bladder, a basic understanding of how the urinary system operates is needed.

The kidneys produce the urine and send it to the bladder. The bladder expands to holds the urine while the sphincter muscle acts as a spiget and controls the flow of urine. Basically on or off. As soon as your bladder gets approximately half fullmost people can handle about 2 cups of urineyour brain is signaled that you need to empty it. The bladder muscles contract while the sphincter relaxes. When there is a coordination problem along this system, incontinence occurs.

With Overactive Bladder, a person may be suddenly aware of the urgency sensation but is unable to get to the toilet before losing control of his or her urine. Urine loss can be in large amounts that soak underwear and even outer clothing.

Common triggers like hearing running water or simply the anticipation of urinating can cause a bladder spasm. In some cases, people who have physical limitations may not be able to reach the toilet in time, causing an accident.

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Overactive Bladder In Women

Women are more likely to report symptoms of OAB to their doctor. In fact, at least 40 percent of American women experience symptoms of overactive bladder. Many more may not report the experiences to their doctor at all.

Overactive bladder consists of a series of symptoms that cause you to need to urinate more frequently. These symptoms include

  • feeling a sudden need to urinate
  • not being able to control urination
  • urinating at least two times every night
  • urinating at least eight times every day

Its not clear what causes overactive bladder, but OAB becomes more common in women after menopause. That may be the result of estrogen deficiency. However, overactive bladder can occur at any age.

Overactive bladder is a common childhood condition, but not every accident or soiled bed is the result of OAB. Children frequently grow out of overactive bladder symptoms, but treatment can help prevent frequent urination or complications.

Symptoms of OAB in children include:

  • an urgent or frequent need to urinate
  • accidents or leaking urine
  • urinating more than eight times in a day
  • not feeling as if theyve emptied their bladder despite urinating

Symptoms of OAB become less common as children get older. With age, kids learn to properly control their bladder and recognize signals that they need to urinate. If symptoms of overactive bladder dont seem to be resolving or are getting worse, talk with your childs doctor.

Causes of OAB in children include:

  • urinary tract infection

Medications For Overactive Bladder

Can you have a SMALL bladder? (or an Overactive Bladder)?

Medications for overactive bladder target muscles that control bladder function. These drugs can be used alone or in combination, and include:

  • Anticholinergics such as trospium , darifenacin and oxybutynin relax bladder muscles. They are the most commonly prescribed medications for overactive bladder and are well tolerated. Side effects include constipation and dry mouth.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine and doxepin, stop contractions in the smooth muscle of the bladder. Side effects include dizziness, fatigue, changes in vision, nausea, insomnia, and dry mouth.

Read Also: Ways To Stop Bladder Leakage

Signs Symptoms And Treatments

For most men, one trip to the bathroom will empty the bladder and provide relief for several hours. Men with overactive bladder will regularly feel a powerful urge to urinate throughout the day and night. OAB can be life-altering, affect men of all ages, and wreak havoc on your job, social and active lifestyle, and your sleep. Thankfully, there are a variety of approaches available to ease an overactive bladder and get your life back.

When Urinary Frequency Becomes A Problem

The most obvious sign of urinary incontinence, which is when you start to lose bladder control, is an increase in how often you need to relieve your bladder. If you notice a dramatic change in how often you head to the bathroom in a matter of days, weeks, or months, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

You should not ignore a rapid change in your bathroom requirementssomething is causing it. It could be a medical condition like diabetes or a urinary tract infection. Or the cause may be more mundane, including a change in your habits such as drinking more alcohol or caffeine.

Another sign that frequent urination may be a problem is when it occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:

  • Pain when urinating
  • Dribbling or leaking between bathroom breaks
  • Peeing small amounts
  • Bedwetting
  • Back pain

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms or if your overactive bladder negatively impacts your quality of life. We recommend keeping a urination log or diary for a few days before heading in. If you can, its also helpful to write down what you eat and drink and the supplements or medications you take.

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What Is Overactive Bladder Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention

Overactive bladder is a health condition defined by the frequent, urgent need to urinate.

Rather than a disease in its own right, overactive bladder is a category of urinary symptoms. It can result from a number of different diseases and health conditions.

People with overactive bladder tend to have sudden urges to urinate that they cant control, and some people will leak urine as a result .

You may need to get up and urinate many times during the day or night if you have this condition. ” rel=”nofollow”> 1)

Overactive bladder falls under the larger umbrella of bladder control problems, and it overlaps with urgency incontinence, or urinary incontinence due to urgency. But not all people with overactive bladder will experience incontinence.

Medicine For Stress Incontinence

Fast Five Quiz: Overactive Bladder

If stress incontinence does not significantly improve with lifestyle changes or exercises, surgery will usually be recommended as the next step.

However, if you’re unsuitable for surgery or want to avoid an operation, you may benefit from an antidepressant medicine called duloxetine. This can help increase the muscle tone of the urethra, to help keep it closed.

You’ll need to take duloxetine tablets twice a day and will be assessed after 2 to 4 weeks to see if the medicine is beneficial or causing any side effects.

Possible side effects of duloxetine can include:

Do not suddenly stop taking duloxetine, as this can also cause unpleasant side effects. A GP will reduce your dose gradually.

Duloxetine is not suitable for everyone, however, so a GP will discuss any other medical conditions you have to determine if you can take it.

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How Is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed

In most cases OAB can be diagnosed by history and physical exam and a urine analysis to rule out infection or blood in the urine. An abnormal urine analysis may prompt treatment or further testing . Sometime you doctor will check to see if your bladder is emptying well. This can be done with a small ultrasound or with a catheter). Many times, treatment can be recommended based on the information obtained from these simple things.

In some cases, a bladder diary may be recommended to help understand the severity of the condition. A bladder diary is a record kept by the patient that includes fluid intake, number or urinations, and the amount of urine with each urination.

In more complex cases further testing may be done to get a better understanding of the function and anatomy of the lower urinary tract. These tests may include:

  • Urodynamics to measure the function of the bladder and urethra
  • Cystoscopy where a small scope is placed through the urethra into the bladder to look for abnormalities of the bladder lining, stones, or tumors in the bladder
  • Imaging tests to evaluate anatomic abnormalities that might be contributing to the
  • Prevention Of Overactive Bladder

    Following a healthy diet and getting enough physical activity can help improve bladder symptoms by strengthening muscles in your torso, ensuring bowel regularity, and helping you maintain a healthy body weight.

    Certain foods and ingredients can irritate your bladder, and you may want to keep a diary to figure out whether any are contributing to your symptoms.

    Foods and beverages that may contribute to OAB include:

    • Coffee

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    Research And Statistics: How Many People Have Overactive Bladder

    Estimates as high as 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women will develop symptoms of overactive bladder at some point in their life, according to the American Urological Association.

    In addition, almost one-half of all women will leak urine at some point, and as many as one in three older men leaks urine, according to the according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

    Its important to note that these numbers may underestimate the extent of overactive bladder, since many people are reluctant to report their symptoms due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge that treatments are available.

    Things You Can Do To Help Make A Diagnosis

    Do I have IC or not? Or is it Overactive bladder Syndrome??????

    To help diagnose your condition, your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary.

    To do this, youll most likely fill out a chart that your doctor gives you. This chart typically has lines for different times of the day, and asks you to record:

    • How often you urinate
    • The amount of urine you pass
    • What liquids you drink, and how much
    • Any episodes of urgency to urinate
    • Any accidental urine leakage
    • What you were doing at the time in question

    Your doctor will probably ask you to keep this diary for at least three days. These days may not need to be consecutive, and should ideally be days that are fairly typical in terms of your activities.

    On days when youre keeping a diary, its advised that you measure each serving of beverages that you consume.

    You should also measure how much you urinate. To do this, your doctor may give you a special urine collection device that sits under your toilet seat.

    You should rinse this device with water after each use, and keep in next to your toilet or carry it with you, if youll be outside of your home.

    If youre keeping a bladder diary before seeing your doctor, you can collect your urine in a paper cup and estimate the amount based on the size of the cup.

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    Eat And Drink With Your Bladder In Mind:

    Adopting a bladder-friendly diet will go a long way in easing the symptoms of an overactive bladder. This means avoiding foods that make your urine acidic because acid will further irritate your bladder. Do your best to saying no to caffeine, alcohol, citrus, carbonated beverages and spicy foods.

    If you wake up a lot needing to go to the restroom, then make sure you are getting plenty of fluids during the day and limit drinking fluids closer towards before bedtime. This may help reduce the need to urinate frequently at night.

    Exercises To Relax Your Bladder Muscle

    This can help decrease the urgency of the feeling when it comes. Some call these exercises quick flicks, because you quickly squeeze, then release the muscles in your pelvis several times. When you get that gotta go feeling, squeeze and then relax your pelvic floor muscles several times. This sends a message to your nervous system and back to your bladder to stop squeezing. As your bladder stops squeezing and starts relaxing, the urgent feeling starts to lessen. When you do this exercise, it helps to be still and relaxed, and concentrate just on the quick flicks.

    Try these techniques and your symptoms should improve. Drugs, injections, and surgery are options down the road, but its best to avoid them, and many people can. So start by doing the things that are most natural!

    Read Also: Medicine To Stop Bladder Spasms

    Overactive Bladder In Men: Causes Diagnosis And Treatment

    What is an overactive bladder?

    Overactive bladder is a relatively common condition. Typical symptoms include frequent urination, frequent nighttime urination, persistent urge to urinate, and urine leakage or incontinence.

    An estimated 33 million Americans have OAB, reports the Urology Care Foundation, and as many as 30 percent of men experience symptoms. Its possible that even more men have the condition, but never seek help. If you suspect you have OAB, talk to your doctor. There are a variety of treatments options that may help.

    Causes Of An Overactive Bladder

    Online Prescription For Overactive Bladder

    Overactive bladder symptoms can be caused by a number of other conditions, including:

    • People who have diabetes can develop an overactive bladder
    • Men with prostate problems, not necessary prostate cancer
    • Women who have had operations for stress incontinence are also at risk
    • Any condition that affects the nervous system can cause problems. Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease and Alzheimers are all possible causes. Some of these conditions can also cause issues with getting around so that people affected may not be able to get to the toilet quickly enough

    For many people suffering from an overactive bladder, the actual cause cannot be identified. It can be a relief to know that there is no other health problem causing your symptoms but it can also be frustrating and confusing not having a reason for the problem.

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