An overactive bladder is a common urologic condition that disrupts an individual’s daily life. OAB may be caused by several conditions that affect your detrusor muscle, such as abdominal trauma, nerve problems, lifestyle, infections, being overweight, and hormone changes post-menopause. Understanding these factors is crucial for managing OAB effectively. To determine how your bladder works, your doctor may suggest urodynamic tests. Based on the results of the tests, they will suggest a treatment plan. To provide relief from the overactive bladder symptoms, a mix of treatments will work best. Behavioral therapies can be used adjunctively with medications that relax the bladder, such as Myrbetriq tablets. Consult a healthcare professional or a pharmacist before starting any medication.
What Are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder?
Common symptoms of OAB may include:
- A constant urge to urinate
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urination
- Nocturia
What Causes Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
Several reasons may cause an overactive bladder. In some cases, however, the cause is unrecognized.
Common causes of OAB include:
- Drinking too many fluids
- Neurologic disease
- Consuming too much caffeine
- Constipation
- Smoking
- Taking diuretics (water pills)
- Prior surgery to the uterus
- Prior bladder surgery
Health conditions that can cause OAB symptoms include:
- Urinary tract infections
- A spinal cord injury
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’sParkinson’s disease
- Bladder stones or tumors
- Stroke
- An enlarged prostate
- Pelvic organ prolapse
What Is the Root Cause of an Overactive Bladder?
The detrusor muscle, a smooth muscle fiber collection within the bladder wall, plays a pivotal role in bladder control. Conditions that impact this muscle can lead to OAB, where the bladder contracts involuntarily, leading to frequent and urgent urination. Several conditions can influence the functioning of the detrusor muscle, including abdominal trauma, nerve damage, lifestyle factors, infections, excessive weight, and hormonal changes. Let’s delve into the details:
Abdominal Trauma
Abdominal trauma, particularly due to pregnancy and childbirth, can significantly affect the pelvic muscles. These muscles and tissues support the organs in the lower abdomen, including the bladder. During pregnancy, the immense stretching and the pressure from the growing uterus can weaken these muscles. Childbirth can exacerbate this stretching and weakening. If the pelvic muscles are not able to adequately support the bladder, it may sag or descend from its normal position, contributing to stress incontinence and an overactive bladder.
Nerve Damage
The body relies on a complex network of nerve signals to ensure proper bladder function. When these nerves are damaged, they may send incorrect signals to the brain and bladder, causing untimely bladder contractions. Various conditions and events can cause such nerve damage, including pelvic or back surgery, herniated discs, exposure to radiation therapy, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or the aftermath of a stroke.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle choices, including the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications, can dull nerve sensitivity, affecting the signals sent to the brain concerning bladder control. Alcohol and diuretics can lead to a rapid filling of the bladder, which might not only lead to an increased urge to urinate but also result in leakage. Caffeine similarly stimulates the bladder, increasing urinary frequency and urgency.
Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can irritate the bladder nerves, making the detrusor muscle contract unexpectedly. This sudden urge to urinate, often without the bladder being full, is a hallmark of an overactive bladder. The irritation caused by the infection leads to discomfort and an increased frequency and urgency of urination.
Extra Weight
Carrying excess weight can escalate the pressure on the bladder, leading to bladder issues. This pressure can lead to what is known as stress urinary incontinence, where activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising cause urine leakage. Additionally, the chronic pressure from being overweight may contribute to an overactive bladder by perpetually stimulating the bladder nerves and muscles.
Post-Menopausal Hormonal Changes
After menopause, women experience a decrease in estrogen, which helps maintain the strength and flexibility of the pelvic muscles and urinary tract tissues. The deficiency of estrogen can lead to various forms of urinary incontinence, including urge incontinence. Vaginal-only estrogen therapy is often recommended to mitigate these effects by replenishing estrogen levels locally, which can help improve urinary function and reduce symptoms of an overactive bladder.
What Are the Risk Factors for Overactive Bladder?
Certain risk factors affect your chances of developing OAB, such as gender and age. These are beyond your control. Other factors, such as obesity and lifestyle, are preventable by modifying your daily life. Risk factors for OAB may include:
- Age- OAB can occur at any age and to anyone, but the risk of developing the condition increases as you get older. Old age also increases your risk of other conditions affecting bladder control.
- Sex- Females assigned at birth are more likely than males assigned at birth to be incontinent. Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause affect female hormone levels and pelvic floor muscles and further affect bladder control.
- Obesity- Being overweight can put pressure on your bladder and can also lead to conditions that affect blood flow and nerve activity in your bladder.
How to Prevent Overactive Bladder?
Making certain lifestyle modifications can help reduce your risk of OAB. Firstly, you should do exercises known as kegel exercises to make your pelvic floor muscles stronger. Do these exercises daily to get the most benefit from them. Indulge in regular daily physical activities and exercises for overall health. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. Quit smoking and tobacco consumption. Maintain a healthy weight to ease your symptoms. If you are suffering from overweight or obesity, reduce your calorie intake. Obese people are at an increased risk of stress urinary incontinence, which may improve with weight loss. Follow a healthy, nutritious, low-calorie diet to reduce weight. Manage current chronic conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure that may add to the symptoms of overactive bladder. Specific medications can also help manage such conditions. Order drugs from Canada and have them delivered to your doorstep hassle-free.
Conclusion
Overactive bladder (OAB) can significantly impact daily life, driven by various factors such as abdominal trauma, nerve damage, lifestyle choices, infections, excess weight, and hormonal changes post-menopause. Understanding these causes and implementing personalized treatment plans, including behavioral therapies and medications, can help manage symptoms effectively. Preventive measures like Kegel exercises and lifestyle adjustments can mitigate risks and improve bladder control.
