Navigating overactive bladder: Effective treatments and daily management tips

November 11, 2024

An overactive bladder is a group of symptoms that cause the sudden urge to pass urine or rush to urinate frequently. One may feel the need for urgency to urinate either during the daytime or at night. Some people having an overactive bladder may leak urine and may feel the need to visit a urologist near me. 

A few behavioural and lifestyle changes might help to manage the symptoms one might be suffering due to OAB. This may include diet, exercise and passing urine at a specific schedule.

 

Causes of OAB

There are varying causes of OAB that compel patients to seek the right treatment for this condition. 

  1. Poorly functioning kidneys 
  2. Stones in the bladder
  3. Overweight
  4. High intake of fluids 
  5. Enlargement in the prostate 
  6. Muscle weakening due to abdominal trauma
  7. Neurological disorder 
  8. Urinary tract infections 
  9. Obstruction in the urinary bladder 
  10. Diabetes 
  11. Estrogen deficiency
  12. Cancer in the bladder 

 

Symptoms of OAB

The symptoms of OAB are easy to notice and one might see a urologist in Mohali before it becomes a big problem. 

  1. The sudden feeling of urgency to urinate 
  2. Going to the bathroom as frequently as more than 8 times to urinate 
  3. Leaking of urine when you are only having the urge to go and urinate 
  4. Waking up at least twice at night to urinate 

 

How common is OAB? 

OAB is common in male patients aged more than 60 years and in women aged 45 years or more. The condition affects a lesser percentage of men and more women, especially as their age increases. 

The bladder muscles responsible for controlling while one urinates tend to become weak with time. So, it is important to treat the symptoms of OAB before the symptoms worsen as it doesn't disappear on its own. 

 

Risk factors for OAB

A few factors increase the risk of suffering from OAB that are avoidable in some cases and unavoidable in others. 

  1. OAB has a slightly female predilection 
  2. Diabetes increases the risk for OAB 
  3. Patients with Alzheimer's disease 
  4. OAB may develop with increasing age 
  5. Males with an enlarged prostate are at a higher risk 
  6. Patients who suffered a stroke 

 

Complications with OAB

The symptoms of OAB may have a negative impact on the quality of life and may give rise to certain complications. One might need to visit the best hospital in Mohali to get help with these complications. 

  1. Emotional distress 
  2. Disturbed sleep 
  3. Anxiety 
  4. Sexual problems 
  5. Depression 
  6. Interrupted sleep cycle 

 

Diagnosis for OAB 

The doctor will evaluate the patient's condition to check for any infection in the urine causing the urge to urinate. He/she might check if the patient is completely emptying the bladder upon passing the urine and a few other examinations. 

  1. Complete medical history 
  2. Physical examination including rectal and pelvic examination 
  3. An ultrasound scan of the bladder to check for bladder urine after urinating 
  4. Neurological function examination to evaluate sensory problems
  5. Urodynamic testing or cystoscopy to check for any other problems
  6. Urinalysis to check for blood or infection 

 

Treatment of OAB

There are varying OAB treatments to treat the symptoms of an overactive bladder which include medications and behavioural changes. 

 

Maintaining a diary 

The doctor might ask to maintain a bladder diary to keep track of the type of diet and its intake amount. He/she may ask the patient to note the frequency of urgency felt to urinate and if there was urine leakage. 

 

Dietary changes

The doctor might suggest the patient avoid any food or drinks causing the symptoms of OAB. These foods may include tea, coffee, spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, alcohol or foods with artificial sugars. 

 

Bowel habits

Healthy bowel habits may help reduce the symptoms of OAB and avoid constipation through bowel regularity. To maintain this, one must exercise regularly and increase the intake of fibre-rich foods. 

 

Healthy weight 

Bladder control problems tend to increase if a person is overweight because the weight may put pressure on the bladder. Maintaining optimal weight can help reduce any pressure on the bladder and avoid urine leaks. 

 

Quitting tobacco

Tobacco products or cigarettes increase coughing resulting in spasms that may cause leaking of urine. 

 

Medications

A urologist in Mohali may suggest medicines that relieve the symptoms of OAB and cause the bladder to relax. 

  1. Oxybutynin
  2. Fesoterodine 
  3. Tolterodine 
  4. Mirabegron 
  5. Trospium 
  6. Solifenacin 

 

Injections

The doctor may prescribe injections of OnabotulinumtoxinA that relax the bladder muscles and increase the bladder’s capacity to hold urine for 6 months. 

 

Surgery

People who experience severe symptoms of OAB and have no relief from other treatments need to undergo surgery. The doctor may perform surgery to increase the capacity of bladder or bladder removal. 

Sohana Hospital has the best team of urologists and surgeons who hold extensive experience in treating OAB. Our doctors adopt a holistic approach towards treating and relieving the symptoms of OAB.