Overactive bladder. or OAB, imposes a sudden or frequent urge to urinate. This condition is often uncontrollable and makes one feel like they have to make a bathroom trip several times during the day and night. In addition, OAB has the potential to cause incontinence. And this issue is why those suffering from this condition tend to isolate themselves and constantly feel social embarrassment. Such a condition can also curtail one’s social and work life.

Understanding the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment can help deal with the situation better. Herein, we will discuss these main aspects of an overactive bladder.

1. Symptoms
Common signs that are associated with an overactive bladder are

Urgency
This sign implies a sudden and uncontrollable urge to pee where you fail to put it off. Another aspect of it is the latch key urgency, wherein you have to pass urine as soon as you put the key in your home’s door.

Higher frequency
If one uses the washroom eight or more times each day, it is a sign of an overactive bladder.

Urge incontinence
One of the most common signs in people with OAB is incontinence. This issue starts with a feeling of urgency, and by the time one reaches the washroom, it may be a little late.

Nocturia
Constantly waking several times a night to urinate can also indicate OAB.

2. Causes
In some people, there is no specific reason for the onset of an overactive bladder. But several factors can result in one suffering from OAB. Often, a combination of two or more common causes may be responsible, some of them are

Nerve damage
At times, the nerves signal the brain and bladder to empty at the wrong time. It might be an outcome of nerve damage. Disease and trauma can result in nerve damage. Some prevalent causes of nerve damage are

• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• Radiation
• Back surgery
• Pelvic surgery
• Multiple sclerosis
• Herniated disc

Weakened pelvic muscles
Childbirth and pregnancy can stretch and weaken the pelvic muscles. Consequently, the bladder sags out from the regular position, resulting in an overactive bladder.

Infection
A urinary tract infection can irritate the bladder nerves and squeeze the bladder sans any warning.

Estrogen deficiency
Menopause can cause an estrogen deficiency in the body. Such a hormonal change is a prevalent cause of an overactive bladder.

Caffeine habits
Having a lot of caffeinated beverages can weaken and dull the nerves, hampering the signal sent to the brain. Such a habit causes bladder overflow. In addition, caffeine and diuretics heighten the pace of the bladder’s filling, resulting in incontinence.

Excess BMI
When one has a disproportional body-mass index, the body puts more pressure on the bladder. And this issue causes urge incontinence.

3. Diagnosis
Certain tests that can help with OAB diagnosis, such as

Urinalysis
This test is done to assess the urine makeup of a patient.

Postvoid residual volume
A postvoid residual volume test checks the remaining urine in the bladder after one empties it.

Cystometry
The three factors checked in this test are

• Urine held by the bladder
• Nerve overactivity
• One’s ability to sense bladder fullness

Uroflowmetry
The flow speed and volume of urine are checked using this test.

4. Treatment
Multiple treatments can help manage OAB symptoms. Here are a few of the common ones:

Scheduling toilet trips
Formulating a schedule for the toilet trips, say once every two hours, can get the body on track to urinate at fixed times daily. So, one does not have to wait until they feel the urge.

Botox
Small botox doses can temporarily weaken or paralyze the bladder muscles, preventing their untimely contraction. It helps lower the OAB symptoms. Typically, the impact of botox injections lasts between 1.5 to 2 months. So, you may need repeat treatments.

Pelvic floor physical therapy
There are dedicated physical therapists with a specialty in pelvic muscles. Muscle strengthening and targeted muscle exercises can manage OAB symptoms and other urinary problems.

Nerve stimulation
Nerve stimulation modifies the electrical nerve signals that trigger the bladder. In electrical nerve stimulation, a tiny needle is injected into the lower leg’s skin, or a small wire is inserted into the lower back to manage urgency and frequency symptoms.

Pharmaceuticals
Some common options to cure OAB are tolterodine, mirabegron, and trospium. Ideally, these treatments help with lowering the episodes of incontinence and urge as well as managing symptoms. However, these options cause several side effects like dry mouth, dry eyes, and constipation. Before starting any new treatment, one must read about the probable side effects.

Losing mass
Those with a high BMI must take steps to lose mass and ease the symptoms of an overactive bladder.

Surgery
If no other treatment works, a doctor may recommend surgery to boost the bladder’s capacity.