OveractiveBladderFacts.net - Learn about Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overactive Bladder can make life difficult.

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic urological condition that occurs when the muscle that surrouds the bladder (detrusor muscle) contracts involuntary, causing a sudden, unstoppable need to urinate (urinary urgency). In some cases it can also result in the unintentional loss of urine (urge incontinence). The condition affects about one in six adults in the United States; women tend to be affected earlier, usually during their mid-40s, while most men with overactive bladder are 65 or older.

The main symptoms of an overactive bladder include the following:

Frequent urination, usually eight or more times in 24 hours
Feelings of a strong, sudden urge to urinate
Unintended loss of urine immediately following an urgent need to urinate (urge incontinence)
Waking up two or more times during the night to urinate (nocturia)

Even though urge incontinence is one of the main symptoms of an overactive bladder, it only affects a third of the people with the condition; overactive bladder with urge incontinence is referred to as overactive bladder, wet, as opposed to overactive bladder, dry, where a patient has no symptoms of urge incontinence.

In addition, some patients may experience significant social, psychological, occupational, domestic, physical, and sexual problems, which should not be considered a normal part of aging.

Causes of an Overactive Bladder

Even though doctors know an overactive bladder is the result of a malfunctioning detrusor muscle, the exact cause of the condition can still be difficult to identify. Possible contributing factors include the following:

Bladder stones
Surgery or nerve damage caused by abdominal or pelvic trauma
Drug side effects
Neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and spinal cord lesions)

Treatments for an Overactive Bladder

Currently there is no cure for an overactive bladder, but treatment options can greatly help reduce its symptoms. Depending on the severity and symptoms of the condition, doctors may suggest pelvic muscle rehabilitation to improve muscle control and prevent leakage, behavioral therapies to help regain control of the bladder, medication or surgery.

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of an overactive bladder, it’s time to get the help you need. Talk to your doctor to find out which treatment options are right for you.