Overactive Bladder

If you frequently feel the need to urinate or experience urine leakage due to an overactive bladder, effective treatment options are available. The urologists at Urology Associates can evaluate your symptoms, determine the underlying cause, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help improve bladder control and your quality of life.

Questions and Answers

What is an Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by sudden, frequent urges to urinate that may be difficult to control. In some cases, these urges can lead to accidental urine leakage. People with OAB may feel the need to urinate many times during the day and night.

These symptoms can interfere with daily activities and may cause embarrassment or lead individuals to avoid social situations. Fortunately, effective treatments are available that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

drawing of detrusor muscle within bladder wall

What are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder?

Common signs and symptoms of overactive bladder may include:

Strong, sudden urges to urinate
Urinating eight or more times within a 24-hour period
Urine leakage or urinary incontinence
Waking up more than twice during the night to urinate

Frequent bathroom trips and urine leakage can interfere with sleep, daily activities, and social situations, often affecting overall quality of life.

What are the Risk Factors for Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder can affect people of all ages, but certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. These include aging, neurological disorders, diabetes, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or tumors. Hormonal changes in women may also contribute to bladder control issues.

Lifestyle factors can also play a role. Consuming caffeine or alcohol and taking certain medications may irritate the bladder and worsen urinary symptoms.

How is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed?

To determine whether you have overactive bladder and develop an appropriate treatment plan, your doctor will begin by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. A physical examination may also be performed, which can include pelvic or rectal exams.

Additional tests may be recommended to better understand your condition. These can include a neurological exam, urine testing to check for infection or other abnormalities, and bladder function tests to evaluate how well your bladder stores and releases urine. These evaluations help your physician identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment options.

How is Overactive Bladder Treated?

To help manage overactive bladder and improve your quality of life, your doctor may recommend several treatment approaches, including:

Medications: Certain medications are available in pill, liquid, or patch form to help relax the bladder muscles and control nerve signals that trigger urinary urgency. Some medications may cause side effects such as dry eyes or dry mouth, and your doctor may recommend supportive treatments like eye drops if needed.

Lifestyle changes: Adjusting daily habits can often reduce the severity of overactive bladder symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting caffeine and alcohol, quitting smoking, and practicing pelvic floor exercises such as Kegels may help improve bladder control. Proper management of chronic conditions like diabetes can also play an important role in reducing symptoms.

drawing of sacral neuromodulation therapy

Sacral Neuromodulation Therapy: Sacral nerve stimulation using Axonics® and InterStim™ technology stimulates nerves between your bladder and brain to better control bladder function and reduce incontinence.

drawing of female anatomy

Surgery: In severe cases of an overactive bladder, your doctor might recommend minimally invasive surgical procedures to reduce symptoms and offer long-lasting relief.

There is no need to live with an overactive bladder. There are numerous treatments available. Contact Urology Associates to schedule an appointment to address your overactive bladder issues.