Over Active Bladder Syndrome

What is Overactive Bladder Syndrome?

Overactive Bladder Syndrome is an issue that can be identified by several key symptoms. These include:

• A sudden, urgent need to pass urine that cannot be postponed
• Needing to use the toilet more than seven times in one day
• Needing to use the toilet more than once at night (known as Nocturia)
• Approximately 1 in 3 people affected by Overactive Bladder Syndrome also suffer from Urge Incontinence (this is a passing of urine that happens before being able to get to the toilet)

Not at all a rare condition, it has been found that roughly 17% of adults show symptoms of Overactive Bladder Syndrome to varying extents.

What are the causes of Overactive Bladder Syndrome?

Overactive Bladder Syndrome can be caused by problems with the muscles in the walls of the bladder resulting in sudden contractions that leave a sufferer without full bladder control. These are called detrusor muscles, and if they contract (as they are meant to when allowing normal toilet use) too often an urge to pass urine is created.

Various possible reasons for this detrusor overactivity may include:

• Overconsumption of alcohol or caffeine
• Urinary tract infections
• Constipation

What can be done to alleviate the symptoms of Overactive Bladder Syndrome?

There are various options available in the treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome, ranging from surgical to non-surgical methods.

Much of the time the precise cause of Overactive Bladder Syndrome is unknown, although if it develops as the result of an underlying condition it is important to seek treatment for this issue first.

Sometimes treatments in which medication or surgery are not necessary are all that is needed to resolve the problem of an overactive bladder. These can be as straightforward as simple changes in lifestyle (such as watching your intake of caffeine and alcohol).

In up to 50% of cases of Overactive Bladder Syndrome, treatment known as Bladder Training works well and often solves the problem. Pelvic floor exercises are an example of other non-invasive treatments, and medication may also be prescribed.

In some cases it may be necessary to undergo a surgical procedure in order to correct Overactive Bladder Syndrome. There are a variety of options ranging from stimulation of the sacral nerve in order to control the bladder to Botox injections into the wall of the bladder.

If an assessment or treatment is being waited for, there are many products that can be used to manage the symptoms of urge incontinence. Absorbent pads and pants are widely available, as are devices used for urine collection or to prevent leakage.

If you have 10 minutes free and would like to help with the understanding of the impact of Overactive Bladder Syndrome on daily life, please visit https://oab-survey.com