Overactive Bladder: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

The bladder is a muscular, hollow organ that stores urine. When a person urinates, the bladder empties, and the muscles of the pelvic floor relax. However, in cases of overactive bladder (OAB), there is a frequent and sudden urge to urinate that may be difficult to control.

What is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It leads to a sudden and overwhelming need to urinate, often accompanied by urgency incontinence, which refers to the unintentional loss of urine.

Common Symptoms of Overactive Bladder

If you have an overactive bladder, you may experience the following symptoms:

• A sudden urge to urinate that's difficult to control.
• Unintentional loss of urine immediately following an urgent need to urinate (urgency incontinence).
• Frequent urination, typically eight or more times in 24 hours.
• Waking up two or more times during the night to urinate (nocturia).

Managing Overactive Bladder Symptoms

While overactive bladder can be disruptive, there are several ways to manage its symptoms. Simple behavioural strategies such as dietary changes, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques using your pelvic floor muscles can be effective.

When to See a Doctor for Overactive Bladder

It’s important to note that overactive bladder is not a normal part of ageing. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and they are affecting your quality of life, it’s advisable to consult your GP or healthcare professional. A brief evaluation can determine whether there is a specific cause for your symptoms, and additional treatment options can be discussed.

You may feel like you need to pass urine many times during the day and night, and may also experience unintentional loss of urine (urgency incontinence). It is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. 

If you have an overactive bladder, you may feel a sudden urge to urinate that's difficult to control, experience unintentional loss of urine immediately after an urgent need to urinate (urgency incontinence), urinate frequently, usually eight or more times in 24 hours and wake up more than two times in the night to urinate (nocturia). 

If you have an overactive bladder, you may be able to manage symptoms with simple behavioural strategies, such as dietary changes, timed voiding and bladder-holding techniques using your pelvic floor muscles. 

It is important to note that overactive bladder isn't a typical part of aging. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are distressing you or disrupting your life, talk to your GP or healthcare professional. A brief evaluation can determine whether there's a specific cause for your overactive bladder symptoms. They will also discuss with you additional treatments that might be available.

Feel free to explore our full range of incontinence solutions here!

Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance.

References: 

1. www.mayoclinic.org
2. en.wikipedia.org
3. ruh.nhs.uk
4. www.healthline.com