Are you taking too many bathroom breaks during the day, or losing sleep due to frequent nighttime trips to the toilet? That too, when you’re not even gulping too many liquids! If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing overactive bladder symptoms.
Read more to find out what causes your bladder to treat every sip of water like an emergency and how to calm it down.
What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
Having an overactive bladder means that you experience involuntary bladder muscle contractions that lead to urgent trips to the bathroom, even when there is no infection or obvious cause.
This condition is more common than people think, with 20% of people experiencing overactive bladder symptoms globally, according to a study in the International Urogynecology Journal.
Overactive Bladder Symptoms
Overactive bladder symptoms can seriously disrupt your daily routine and cause emotional distress. These can be summed up as:
- Sudden and intense urge to go to the washroom that can’t be controlled.
- Needing to urinate more than eight times a day.
- Waking up multiple times at night to use the bathroom.
- Fear of pain in the bladder that increases the urge to pee more often.
Overactive bladder can also lead to urinary incontinence, which causes accidental leakage if you fail to find a spot to empty your bladder in time. According to StatPearls, around 24% to 45% report having urinary incontinence.
Many people also report feelings of anxiety and embarrassment. Some even begin to withdraw socially and dread long travels.
What Causes Overactive Bladder?
When asked what is the main cause of overactive bladder, research suggests that it often comes down to bladder muscle overactivity, which can be due to a combination of factors, according to StatPearls.
Some of the common overactive bladder causes and the reasons for overactive bladder include:
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or multiple sclerosis can affect nerves that control bladder signalling.
- Hormonal changes in women after menopause can trigger OAB.
- Prostate enlargement in men can disrupt urine flow and lead to frequent loo visits.
- Urinary tract infections that irritate the bladder.
- You may be drinking a lot more water/liquids than your body needs.
- Bladder abnormalities such as stones or tumours can also affect bladder health.
- Medications like diuretics can increase urine production.
- Lifestyle factors like too much alcohol, caffeine, or sugar intake can make your bladder overwork.
- Cold weather can also increase urine production.
How to Treat Overactive Bladder
Many people ask how to cure an overactive bladder, but the answer actually depends on the underlying cause. While it may not always be completely “cured,” a combination of strategies can be used as an overactive bladder treatment and significantly improve quality of life
Here are the ways to manage overactive bladder symptoms:
- Train your bladder by gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits.
- Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises to reduce leakage.
- Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that may irritate the bladder.
- Take overactive bladder medications that relax the bladder muscles and reduce urinary urgency. These may include anticholinergics such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, and beta-3 agonists (like mirabegron).
- Some advanced treatments to treat extreme cases of overactive bladder are Botox injection, nerve stimulation therapies, and surgery.
Read More: Bladder Infection Symptoms: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
To Sum Up
Overactive bladder symptoms can feel overwhelming, but this condition is very common and is primarily faced by women. Do not hesitate to consult your healthcare provider and share your symptoms openly with them. This is crucial to seek the right solution tailored to your body’s needs.
With simple lifestyle adjustments, medications, and proper therapies, you can enjoy the freedom to enjoy long walks, uninterrupted sleep, and stress-free social gatherings without constantly worrying about the nearest restroom.
