What is an overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder causes you to experience frequent and sudden urges to urinate. For example, you might feel like you need to urinate even after going to the bathroom. Over time, you might also experience leakage or have trouble controlling your bladder.
When left untreated, an overactive bladder can negatively affect your quality of life. Many people with the condition feel embarrassed and begin limiting their social activities.
What are the symptoms of an overactive bladder?
Common symptoms of an overactive bladder include:
- An impossible to control urge to urinate
- Waking up more than two times at night to use the bathroom
- Urinating more than eight times in a 24 hour period
- Experiencing an unintentional loss of urine
Even if you make it to the bathroom on time, an overactive bladder can consume your life, making it difficult to enjoy time with friends and family or focus at work.
Who is at risk of an overactive bladder?
Anyone can experience an overactive bladder, but it’s especially common as you age. Other factors that may increase your risk of an overactive bladder include underlying health problems like an enlarged prostate or diabetes. Additionally, many people with cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, develop an overactive bladder.
Is there any way to prevent an overactive bladder?
There’s no way to prevent an overactive bladder entirely, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk. Dr. Youngren recommends maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises.
How is an overactive bladder diagnosed?
Dr. Youngren diagnoses an overactive bladder by reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical exam, and asking about your lifestyle and symptoms. He also orders several urodynamic tests to see how your bladder functions, including:
Measuring urine left in your bladder
To measure the urine left in your bladder, Dr. Youngren uses ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound uses high-frequency soundwaves to provide detailed, real-time pictures of your bladder.
Measuring urine flow
To measure your urine flow, Dr. Youngren has you urinate into a uroflowmeter. This tool measures the volume and speed of your urine and translates the data into a graph.
Testing bladder pressure
If Dr. Youngren suspects you have a stiff bladder or involuntary muscle contractions, he might recommend cystometry. This test measures the pressure in your bladder and the surrounding region as your bladder fills.
How is an overactive bladder treated?
Treatment for an overactive bladder depends on the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Youngren typically recommends healthy lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, scheduling bathroom breaks throughout the day, and training your bladder.
If your symptoms persist or get worse, Dr. Youngren might recommend prescription medications, bladder injections, or nerve stimulation.
To receive treatment for an overactive bladder, schedule an appointment at Advanced Urology. Book a consultation online or call the office to speak with a caring staff member today.
