ReadersAisle.com | Reliable Information Simplified

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes

An overactive bladder (OAB) results in frequent, unexpected urges to urinate. When one is dealing with an overactive bladder, they can experience frequent urges during the day and at night, along with incontinence. However, simple changes, such as better food choices, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques utilizing the pelvic floor muscles, can help one manage the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Here are a few things one should know when affected by OAB:

Signs
One may experience the following symptoms:

Sudden and frequent urge to urinate
Accidental urination right after experiencing an urge to urinate (urgency incontinence)
Frequent urination, typically two or more times every few hours
Need to go to the washroom more than two times every night (nocturia)

Even if one can urinate normally when dealing with an overactive bladder, symptoms like unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt daily routine and cause discomfort. Doctors may refer the patient to a urologist, who focuses on illnesses and conditions of the reproductive system and urinary tract. One should consult a doctor as soon as they notice any of the signs. Overactive bladder is common in older adults, but some women can develop the issue at about 45.

Ways to manage an overactive bladder
People with overactive bladder may respond to a variety of therapies. One can make many lifestyle changes to deal with such health concerns, like avoiding unhealthy habits, undergoing treatment, and nerve stimulation. Here are some other ways to manage OAB:

Keeping track of urinary activity: A health professional might ask one to maintain a bladder diary for a few days. When determining the reason for OAB, the doctor can help in managing the symptoms better when they understand the cause or trigger. Ideally, a bladder journal should keep tabs on the following:

Foods and drinks one chooses
Quantity of daily foods and drinks
When and how much does one urinate?
How frequently does one experience a sudden desire to urinate?
Frequency of incontinence
Things that make one urinate, such as coughing, sneezing, or giggling

Undergoing treatment: Doctors may recommend a variety of treatment options to control muscular bladder spasms. One should understand the side effects and risks before opting for the treatment.

Sacral nerve stimulation: This is a procedure to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder. Here, the doctor will insert a tiny gadget called a neurotransmitter under the skin near the buttock. A wire close to the sacral nerve (the nerve in the lower spine) will receive electrical signals from the neurotransmitter, helping control the bladder. The frequency of urges and incontinence can be reduced with sacral nerve activation, making it a popular therapy for managing an overactive bladder. Furthermore, one can go home right after the procedure as it is an outpatient treatment.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: Here, small nerve impulses are transmitted to a nerve branch close to the ankle. The signs block bladder spasms, reducing the urge to urinate.

Retraining the bladder: When dealing with OAB, the bladder muscles are used to responding in a particular way. Retraining the bladder can help the bladder hold urine for a longer period. The process calls for resisting the urge to pee, decreasing the frequency of washroom visits, and urinating on a schedule. Here, one should track their urination pattern and try to increase the time between feeling the urge to pee and peeing. This is a gradual process that can help train the bladder.

Prevention
The following lifestyle choices may lower the risk of developing an overactive bladder:

One should exercise regularly and incorporate some form of physical activity into their daily routine.
One should reduce their caffeine intake.
Managing the risk of diseases like diabetes can lower the risk of OAB.
One should work on strengthening their pelvic muscles through exercises known as Kegels.

Causes
An overactive bladder can be a result of a malfunctioning detrusor muscle. The bladder wall consists of smooth muscle fibers that make up the detrusor muscle. The malfunction is brought on by the following issues:

Abdominal trauma: The pelvic muscles can be stretched and weakened during pregnancy and delivery. The tissues and muscles in the pelvis support the organs in the lower belly. If pelvic muscles deteriorate, the bladder may sag.
Nerve damage: Radiation treatment, herniated discs, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or a stroke are a few conditions that can damage the nerves. Here, the body occasionally signals to the brain and bladder to urinate when not required.
Prescription options and coffee: Intake of both these items can make one feel numb, which alters brain impulses and makes the bladder overflow. Caffeine and diuretics can make the bladder fill up quickly as well.
Infections: The bladder nerves may become irritated by an infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), making it suddenly contract.
Estrogen deficiency: Following menopause, one may experience hormonal imbalance that triggers incontinence.

One should monitor their daily habits to notice the signs of an overactive bladder and seek immediate help if they notice lasting changes in their urination pattern.

Diagnosis
A health professional confirms an overactive bladder by reviewing symptoms and examining the organs close to the pelvis and rectum. They might ask patients questions like:

What signs does one have?
How long have they experienced this condition?
Does one have a history of the issue in their family?
Which prescriptions do they take?
Which fluids do they have throughout the day?
At what time of day do they have water and other fluids?
What does one eat during the day?

If one has concerns regarding changes in their urination pattern, health providers can assist with any such queries. They can identify the root cause of the overactive bladder and collaborate with patients to come up with the most suitable treatment plan. Apart from getting appropriate treatment, one should prioritize maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent worsening health conditions.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.