Ways To Help Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder And Botox

Botox may be best known as a great wrinkle reducer for the face. But this injection has actually shown great promise as a treatment for many medical conditions.

Most overactive bladder medications aim to calm muscles and nerves in the urinary tract. If these medicines arent effective, your doctor may consider injecting Botox into your bladder muscles. This can help calm the muscles and reduce symptoms of OAB.

Botox injections for overactive bladder are well-tolerated with few side effects. The injections effects typically last six to eight months. After that time, your doctor may want to use another round of injections to control symptoms.

How To Ask Your Health Care Provider About Your Overactive Bladder

If you are having this problem, do not be embarrassed, McKnight said. Your provider can help you navigate different treatments to help you regain control. He encourages you to ask your primary care provider for help. If you do not mention the problem, then your primary care provider will not know to help.

If you notice other problems with your urine like blood or a loss of the sensation of going to the bathroom, then bring it up with your provider. Those symptoms can be symptoms of bigger health problems that need to be addressed.

Mary Leigh Meyer

What Is An Overactive Bladder Symptoms To Look For

Overactive bladder is a syndrome, or a set of symptoms, that is believed to be due to sudden contractions of the muscles in the wall of the bladder. When you have overactive bladder syndrome, the muscles controlling bladder function start acting involuntarily. This often leads to urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control. The urine leakage experienced by someone with OAB can be as little as several drops to up to several ounces. Sometimes, incontinence can be a sign of something simple like drinking way too many caffeinated beverages on a daily basis. Other times the underlying cause can be something more serious.

An overactive bladder is said to account for 40 to 70 percent of incontinence. What is incontinence? Incontinence is a lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation. When you have overactive bladder, you can experience urinary incontinence or loss of control over urination.

There are actually two different types of overactive bladder. Dry is when you have a sudden, urgent need to urinate many times during the day. Wet means you have the sudden, urgent need to urinate and you experience bladder leakage, which is also referred to as urge incontinence. Both dry and wet can occur without any underlying health condition. An estimated 60 percent of OAB patients have dry OAB while 40 percent have wet OAB .

OAB symptoms can differ on an individual case basis. Common symptoms of an overactive bladder include:

Don’t Miss: Non Invasive Papillary Carcinoma Bladder

Who Is A Good Candidate For Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a good option for anyone with OAB. You may want to consider seeing a physical therapist if you cant find your pelvic floor or want to be sure youre properly doing pelvic floor exercises recommended by the doctor whos treating your OAB.

This type of therapy may have the most noticeable results in people with mild-to-moderate urine leakage. If you have severe symptoms, you may need medications and other treatments on top of exercises to improve your symptoms.

Keep in mind that it can take several months for pelvic floor physical therapy to show benefits. Success may vary from person to person.

Natural Ways To Treat An Overactive Bladder

About a year ago, I began noticing I was getting up several times a night to pee. Once I thought about it, I realized I was peeing a lot during the day, too. The problem escalated and escalated until I was getting up three to five times a night, leading to severe sleep deprivation. Desperate for a solution, I got tested for interstitial cystitis, ovarian cysts, diabetes, kidney stones, you name it. But with all the results negative, I instead got the frustrating diagnosis of overactive bladder .

I describe an OAB diagnosis as frustrating because it doesn’t have a simple cure. Your options are to go on medication, to see a physical therapist who can teach you helpful exercises or an osteopath who can manipulate your nerves, to try a more drastic treatment like Bladder Botox injections or electrical bladder stimulation, or to make a bunch of small changes to your lifestyle that can gradually alleviate the problem. “Even though treatment options exist, many patients opt for natural and homeopathic remedies, since no single treatment has been proven to be most effective,” Caleb Backe, Health and Wellness Expert for Maple Holistics, tells Bustle.

There are two main symptoms of OAB,Los Angeles-based urologist S. Adam Ramin, MD tells Bustle: urgency frequency and urgency incontinence . Some people with OAB only have the first symptom, while others have both.

Recommended Reading: Does Bladder Infection Cause Incontinence

Dietary Changes And Fluid Management

One of the most straightforward methods in the treatment of OAB involves making dietary changes. This involves cutting out several known food irritants from the diet and limiting fluid intake.

Foods to avoid

Foods and drinks, which are known to cause or worsen the symptoms of OAB include:

• alcohol
• tomatoes
• vinegar

As triggers from food vary from person to person, it can be helpful for people to keep a diary detailing food intake and bladder symptoms. A diary can help people work out which foods are causing the greatest problems.

Manage fluid intake

Drinking enough water is essential for health. Too little water can lead to concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder lining, increasing urgency. Too many liquids may worsen frequency symptoms. Fluid intake before bed can contribute to urinating during the night.

A , published in Research and Reports in Urology, recommends limiting fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, and avoiding liquids for 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

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.

Don’t Miss: How Is Botox Administered For Overactive Bladder

Try To Avoid Caffeine Carbonated Drinks Sugar Alcohol And Spicy Or Acidic Foods

• Caffeine is a diuretic which makes you need to use the bathroom more often.
• Carbonated drinks and sugar are thought to stimulate the bladder.
• Alcohol switches off the ability of your body to concentrate urine. This means you tend to urinate more dilute, watery urine, which dehydrates you. Since you are dehydrated, you may drink more.
• Acidic or spicy food may aggravate your overactive bladder and worsen your symptoms. Certain acidic fruit and juices like orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime can aggravate your bladder, too.

What Medications Can I Use For Overactive Bladder

Your doctor may suggest trying behavioral techniques before having you use a medication to treat overactive bladder. However, medications can work very well to return normal function to the bladder. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using the following commonly prescribed medications:

Anticholinergic medications

These medications control muscle spasms in the bladder:

• Oxybutynin , oxybutynin XL , oxybutynin TDDS .
• Tolterodine .

• Mirabegron .

Read Also: Icd 10 Code For Overactive Bladder

Talk To Your Doctor About Medication

If you have tried the aforementioned lifestyle modifications, and continue to have significant symptoms, Peitzman recommends asking your doctor about medication.

According to Poston, anticholinergics are one of the most common types of medications used to treat an overactive bladder.

These medications reduce the tone or twitchiness of the smooth muscle that lines the bladder, thereby increasing its capacity and reducing the urge to urinate. However, it’s important to note that anticholinergics may cause dry mouth, as well as constipation, which can then trigger bladder symptoms.

The drop in estrogen that occurs after menopause can contribute to an overactive bladder but topical estrogen creams, which don’t typically have any side effects may be effective for relieving symptoms, says Peitzman.

If your symptoms haven’t responded to other medications, your doctor might recommend getting Botox injections into your bladder once or twice a year. Botox helps the bladder muscles to relax, thus reducing urgency and incontinence, says Poston.

How To Practice Kegel Exercises

First, you need to find the right muscles, which can be easier said than done. Its easy to tense up all the muscles around your hips, but that can actually put more pressure on your bladder control muscles. Instead, you need to isolate the deep band of muscles and then learn how to contract and relax them. It’s important that you find the right muscles before exercising them. You can locate your pelvic floor by:

• Stopping urination in midstream
• Tightening the muscles that keep you from passing gas
• Imagining that you are trying to pick up an object with your vagina
• Tensing the muscles that bring the base of your penis closer to your abdomen

If you’re still unsure about where your pelvic muscles are, you can make an appointment with a physical therapist. They will be able to help you locate the correct area, and go over the many benefits of Kegel exercises with you. Plus, they can ensure that your exercise routine fits your current condition appropriately.

Once youve located your pelvic floor muscles, begin to contract them in sets. Lie down on your back with your knees bent and separated, then tighten the muscles and hold for three seconds. Relax the muscles for three more seconds before you tighten again. Repeat this contracting and relaxing 10 to 12 times at first, and then add a few more repetitions as your pelvic floor strengthens.

• How toHelp Bladder Control

Read Also: Best Product For Bladder Leakage

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.

Can Overactive Bladder Be Prevented Or Avoided

Overactive bladder cannot be prevented. However, you can reduce the risk of overactive bladder by treating those diseases and conditions that cause it. For example, following your doctors treatment advice for diabetes will reduce nerve damage. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the potential for bladder damage if you have a vaginal delivery.

Don’t Miss: Difference Uti And Bladder Infection

Natural Ways To Help Calm An Overactive Bladder

As many as 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the U.S. live with symptoms of an overactive bladder.

The often embarrassing condition can cause a sudden urge to urinate. It can interfere with your work life, your social life and especially your sleep.

But there are some natural ways to lessen the symptoms.

About 33 million Americans have an overactive bladder, a condition that causes a sudden or frequent urges to urinate.

Here are a few simple changes: First, cut out alcohol.

Alcohol is not only an irritant to the bladder, as you know, but also a diuretic, meaning that it impacts the kidneys to make more urine, Dr. R. Mark Ellerkmann said.

Other drinks to avoid include caffeinated or carbonated beverages, citrus juices and cranberry juice.

Also, steer clear of spicy foods and acidic foods, like tomatoes, chocolate and artificial sweeteners.

Doctors also recommend keeping track of how much you drink and how often you go.

A 24-hour voiding diary can be very helpful,” Ellerkmann said. “Better yet is a three-day voiding diary that can give us a little more specific information about what is being consumed, especially with respect to bladder irritants. How much is being consumed and how often one is voiding.

But if these natural remedies dont work, see a doctor for other treatment options, which may include medications or certain procedures. They could offer you much-needed relief.

NATURAL WAYS TO HELP OVERACTIVE BLADDER

REPORT #2530

Take Charge: Seek Your Doctors Advice

Approximately 80% of those affected by urinary incontinence can be cured or improved, yet only one in 12 people with incontinence issues seek help. Talk to your doctor about your bladder control as it can dramatically improve your lifestyle.

Your doctor can investigate and establish a cause for your overactive bladder. Treatment can then be tailored to this cause and may involve medications, bladder retraining, pelvic floor exercises, absorbent products, surgery, or combinations of these options.

Plus, consider joining the Drugs.com Overactive Bladder Support Group. Here, you can connect with people with similar questions and concerns, share your experiences, and keep up with the latest new drug approvals, ongoing research, and medical news.

Also Check: Does Macrobid Treat Bladder Infection

Healthwatch: Natural Ways To Help Overactive Bladder

NATURAL WAYS TO HELP OVERACTIVE BLADDERREPORT #2530

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder is a common condition that affects around 33 million Americans. It is not considered a disease, rather its the name of a group of urinary symptoms. The most common symptom of OAB is a sudden urge to urinate that you cant control. Some people will leak urine when they feel the urge. Leaking urine is called incontinence. Having to go to the bathroom many times during the day and night is another symptom of OAB. Another common bladder problem is called stress urinary incontinence , which is different from OAB. People with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or doing other physical activities. As many as 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women in the United States live with OAB and SUI symptoms. The real number of people with this condition is most likely much larger because many people dont ask for help. Some are embarrassed or dont know how to talk to their health care provider about their symptoms. OAB can get in the way of your work, social life, exercise and sleep. )

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.

Also Check: Why Do I Get Bladder Infections So Easily

Causes And Symptoms Of Oab

The exact cause of OAB is unknown, but researchers know that the likelihood of developing OAB increases with age. In addition, there are certain habits and risk factors that can exacerbate symptoms of OAB. These may include:

• Drinking too much fluid
• Failure to empty the bladder completely when urinating
• Bladder or urinary tract abnormalities, such as bladder stones or urethral strictures

What Causes Bladder Leaks

There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

Stress incontinence

If you have this type, activities that raise the pressure inside your abdomen cause urine to leak through the ring of muscle in your bladder that normally holds it in. Coughing, sneezing, jumping and lifting heavy objects could lead to a leak.

Going through childbirth, smoking or being overweight can raise the risk of stress incontinence for women, Wright says. Stress incontinence in men is rare, and when it arises, its often due to prostate cancer treatment, such as radiation or surgery.

Urge incontinence

With this type, your brain, spinal cord and bladder dont work together properly to allow you to hold and release urine at the right time. Your bladder may suddenly empty itself without warning. Or you may feel like you need to urinate frequently, a problem called overactive bladder.

Some diseases that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke, can cause this kind of incontinence, says Wright. In men, an enlarged prostate may be the culprit. But in many cases, doctors dont know what causes urge incontinence.

It is possible to have both types of incontinence at the same time.

TRY IT: Keep Records

Your doctor will want to know as much as possible about your bladder leakswhen they occur, how much urine comes out, and what youre doing when leaks happen. Consider keeping a diary of when you urinate and when you have leaks, recommends Wright.

You May Like: Can You Treat A Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics

What The Research Says

Research suggests that pelvic floor physical therapy can reduce OAB symptoms of frequency, urgency, and leakage. It may also help ease pelvic pain and improve quality of life.

One small study found that pelvic floor muscle training significantly improved a variety of symptoms in women with OAB, including urinary leakage, nocturia , and the extent of discomfort caused by urinary symptoms.

A 2016 study found that pelvic floor muscle training paired with biofeedback significantly reduced symptoms and complaints of OAB and increased quality of life for the study participants after 9 weeks of treatment.

A meta-analysis of several studies also found that pelvic floor muscle training significantly reduced OAB symptoms, including urinary frequency and urgency urinary incontinence, across at least five studies. However, the authors believe that more studies are needed with higher quality methods to draw better conclusions.