Overactive bladder - WatsonsHealth

OVERACTIVE BLADDER

In case you have an overactive bladder, knowing the reason can help you control it positively. Usually, your doctor is not only the one who will be involved in finding out the diagnosis. In other circumstances, you and your physician can pinpoint an underlying situation, which may be treatable.

To work efficiently, your bladder depends on a healthy urinary tract. It additionally needs good coordination between your nerves and bladder muscles. There are some circumstances that can affect these parts of your body and cause your bladder muscle to contract involuntarily, therefore, setting off symptoms of overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is brought about by involuntary muscle contractions in your bladder muscles, whether your bladder is full. The precise reasons for these contractions is in many instances not known. In some instances, you and your doctor can determine the underlying cause.

Some neurological conditions can disrupt the signals between your nerves and bladder muscles. These include:

Other conditions can cause nerve damage and lead to overactive bladder. These include the following:

  • Trauma to your spine, pelvis, or stomach, caused by injuries or surgeries
  • Diabetes neuropathy
  • Infections in your brain or spinal cord
  • Neural tube defects

In many instances overactive bladder -like symptoms are mimicked by other conditions such as the following:

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Intake of drugs like diuretics, caffeine pills
  • Urinary tract obstructions such as bladder stones, enlarged prostate, and tumors
  • Menopause
  • Being pregnant

Risk factors for overactive bladder include:

  • Advanced age
  • Female gender
  • Obesity

Triggers:

  • Consuming acidic meals, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits
  • Drinking too much alcohol or caffeinated drinks
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not getting adequate fiber in your diet
  • Constipation

Symptoms

Overactive bladder symptoms may affect your daily activities and disrupt sleep.

Overactive bladder is a physical condition with symptoms that include:

  • An urgent need to urinate
  • Possible urine leakage
  • Frequent journeys to the toilet
  • Urge incontinence
  • Urinary frequency
  • Frequent urination at night

Diagnosis

To diagnose an overactive bladder, your health care provider will likely ask you questions on your medical history and perform a physical exam. Tests may be requested. Your doctor will usually request for a urinalysis and may refer you to an expert for further evaluation and management.

Physical exam and common tests:

  • Pelvic or prostate examination
  • Neurological examination
  • Cough stress test
  • Urinalysis
  • Urodynamic tests
  • Uroflowmetry

 

Medications/Treatment

Treatment most of the time involves a combination of the following:

  • Medications
  • Physical activities
  • Personal hygiene practices
  • Weight management

 

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]