Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is a common condition which is characterized by sudden urge to urinate and difficulty in controlling it. There will also be increase in the frequency of urination during day and night. Urgent and unintentional loss of urine can also occur which is known as urgency incontinence.

Symptoms

Sudden urge to urinate and difficulty in controlling it
Urgency incontinence
Nocturia ( waking up at night more than 2 times in night )

Causes

Main cause of overactive bladder is involuntary bladder muscles contraction even when bladder volume is low. This causes severe urgency to urinate. Conditions that lead to overactive bladder symptoms are:

Stroke or
Hormonal changes in menopause
Diabetes
Urinary tract infection
Enlarged prostate or constipation which is blocking the outflow of bladder
Medications
Increase consumption of alcohol or caffeine
Aging

Complications

Complications include:

Affected quality of life
Anxiety
Sleep disturbance
Sexuality issues

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests include:

Urine sample test for infection
Focused neurological exam
Bladder function tests
post-void residual urine check
Bladder pressure test
Measuring urine flow rate

Treatment

Treatment options include the following:

Behavioral therapies
Pelvic floor muscles exercise
Biofeedback through some electric sensors
Intermittent catheterization
Using absorbent pads
Bladder training
Medications like vaginal estrogen therapy, medications that relax bladder muscles Trospium, Solifenacin (Vesicare), Darifenacin
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)
Bladder injection of botox to relax the bladder muscles helps in relieving incontinence
Surgery can be considered in severe cases

Home remedies

Maintaining of weight according to normal BMI
Be active and exercise regularly
Quit smoking and alcohol intake
Limit caffeine drinking

Overactive Bladder