Overactive bladder, clinically termed hypertonicity of bladder, is a condition that leads you to pass urine more often. This urge for urination is hard to control. In many cases, with an overactive bladder (OAB) problem, you may experience urinary incontinence as well – loss of bladder control or urine leakage.
OAB may have symptoms of both frequent daytime urination and nocturia (frequent peeing at night). People undergoing this problem tend to isolate themselves from social activities. But you must know that’s not the solution as it only affects your quality of life. Come forward and see the best urologist in Kolkata so as to heal your issue optimally.
Struggle With Frequent Urination?
Let’s identify the symptoms of an overactive bladder:
- An urgent need to empty your bladder frequently
- Frequent urination
- Night-time urination (nocturia)
- Leaking urine
- Inability to hold urine
However, going through occasional urine leakage may not be alarming. It’s because at times when you laugh or cough too much, urine leakage may not be surprising. On the other hand, ongoing involuntary loss of urine is concerning. Thus, seeking medical guidance early on is of great help.
What Leads to an Overactive Bladder?
Aging or older age can be a prominent cause of an overactive bladder. As you grow older, the bladder muscles used to shrink. And that can result in loss of bladder control in both men and women.
Conditions that can contribute to this urological problem may include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Drinking too much water/fluid
- Consumption of alcohol or caffeinated products
- Certain medications
- Bladder stones
- Eating bladder irritant foods
- Weak pelvic muscles
- Hormonal changes during menopause
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
- Constipation
- Obesity
- Nerve damage due to stroke, pelvic surgery, multiple sclerosis, herniated disc
Untreated overactive bladder problems may result in a host of complications in life. Such issues revolve around – emotional distress, interrupted sleep, affected sex life, anxiety, and so forth.
An overactive bladder often interferes with your day-to-day life, resulting in urine leakage during – coughing, lifting weight, certain body movements, laughing, sneezing.
Learn How You Can Prevent OAB/Overactive Bladder
Hopefully, this condition is treatable. Given below are some of the ways that aid in OAB prevention:
- Keeping your body weight in a good state significantly reduces your chance of OAB. While on the contrary, excess body weight puts intra-abdominal pressure that makes you more likely to undergo overactive bladder issues. If you’re obese, get medical assistance to reduce extra weight healthily.
- Practicing regular workouts boost overall good health. Especially Kegel exercise strengthens your pelvic floor muscle that helps promote better urinary health.
- Smoking is a bladder irritant that can cause frequent urination. Also, smoking may contribute to chronic cough which in turn weakens your bladder muscles, leading to OAB.
- Limiting/avoiding the intake of alcohol, alcoholic beverages, caffeine can be of immense help. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that increase the production of urine, causing you to pee more frequently.
Wight Management is Essential
Medical Care for Overactive Bladder Problem
The diagnosis of OAB entails – a physical exam, pelvic exam, reviewing medical history, urine culture, blood test, bladder scan, endoscopy (cystoscopy) of your bladder, etc.
A cystoscopy helps a urologist rule out if you have bladder stones/tumours, or other bladder abnormalities. To relieve your discomfort, you can contact the leading urologist and andrologist doctor in Kolkata.
If you’ve been diagnosed with OAB, your urologist may prescribe different types of medications. These medications assist in healing the symptoms. Plus, to treat OAB, behavioural therapies, such as biofeedback, scheduled toilet trips, managing a healthy weight can help as well. An andrologist/urologist may recommend surgery if that’s the best to treat the issue.
