Overview
Overactive bladder, a condition in which the bladder releases urine inconsistently at the wrong time intervals, can significantly impact daily life. Suppose you find yourself urinating more than eight times during the day or developing an increased urge to urinate all the time and leak urine uncontrollably. In that case, you may be suffering from an overactive bladder. This condition can disrupt your routine and diminish your quality of life.
Aetiology
An overactive bladder results in the involuntary contraction of bladder muscles, which increases the urgency to urinate even when the bladder isn’t completely full. Symptoms occur due to the following:
- Excessive intake of fluid
- The ingestion of medication that stimulates the production of urine
- Infections of the urinary tract
- Bladder irritants such as alcohol and caffeine
- Inability to empty the bladder completely
- The presence of bladder stones
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic assessments are conducted:
- Urinalysis: This is a process that involves the collection of urine that’s evaluated to check for any abnormalities.
- A physical exam is performed to assess for an enlarged prostate that may be contributing to symptoms.
- A bladder scan involves using an ultrasound to assess the amount of urine left in the bladder after urinating.
- Cystoscopy involves inserting an illuminated scope into the bladder to check for anything unusual, such as bladder stones or tumours.
- Urodynamic testing is done to evaluate the capability of the bladder to collect and store urine.
Treatment
Non-surgical treatment consists of prescription medication to relax the muscles and nerves. These medications may come in various forms, such as pills, patches, or fluids.
For those seeking non-surgical treatments, a specialist with expertise in pelvic floor muscles can recommend physical therapy. This therapy is designed to target and strengthen the muscles, providing effective management of urinary problems, including frequency and urgency. It's a promising option for those looking to improve their quality of life.
However, if symptoms fail to improve with prescription medication and other conservative treatments, your doctor will advise surgery to enhance the capacity of the bladder. Surgery is usually considered a last resort when other treatments have been ineffective, and it aims to increase the bladder's capacity to minimise the frequency of urination and the urgency to urinate.
FAQ
Yes, it promotes urine leakage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are considered concerning urological symptoms?
- A weak urinary stream
- Signs of bladder stones
- Difficulty urinating
- Pain