Overactive bladder causes a sudden urge to urinate. The urge is sometimes so strong that it may be difficult to control and can lead to the involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence). This loss of urine control can be embarrassing and affect work life and social life. Overactive bladder is also associated with increased frequency of urine during the day and needs to get up multiple times at night.
Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. This involuntary contraction creates an urgent need to urinate.
It can affect the quality of life and there is help available to deal with it. Therefore, it is worth discussing it with the doctor.
Various factors can contribute to the overactive bladder such as:
- Acute urinary tract infections
- Diabetes
- Stroke and multiple sclerosis
- Surgeries are done on the bladder or sphincter.
- Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and diuretic drugs.
- Diseases where there is a decline in cognitive function such as Alzheimer’s.
Elderly people may have a combination of bladder storage problems and bladder-emptying issues.
How to manage this situation?
- Voiding diary – the diary documents number of voids per day i.e. volume frequency and time.
- Investigation – Some common investigations are
- Urine analysis – to see for glucose protein and infection.
- Urine culture – to determine the exact organism present in the urine
- Post-void residue – the amount of urine remaining inside the bladder immediately after emptying.
- Urodynamic studies – this is a series of urine volume flow and pressure studies and help in understanding the functioning of the bladder and the bladder neck and the urethra.
- Cystoscopy- some patients may require cystoscopy especially when there are obstructive symptoms.
Treatment of Overactive Bladder
- Bladder training – behavioral strategies, such as fluid schedules, timed voiding and bladder-holding techniques are taught to the patient.
- Pelvic Floor strengthening exercises can help.
- Medications -various groups of drugs are available for management. Eg β 3 receptor agonist and antimuscarinic medication.
- There is a lot of help available for overactive bladder. So speak to your doctor and get relief.
Take an appointment with Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal if you face the issue of Overactive Bladder.
