Overactive bladder (OAB) is a type of urinary incontinence that causes the involuntary loss of bladder control and the urge to urinate. This is usually caused by abnormal contractions of the muscles of the urinary bladder, resulting in a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate with or without actual leakage of urine, even though only small amounts of urine may be in the bladder. Overall, having overactive bladder prevents you from controlling when and how much you urinate. You may experience unexpected small or large leaks, or use the bathroom very frequently. Some people experience a combination of these bladder problemsymptoms.

There are different types of overactive bladder:

• Frequent urges to urinate (urgency-frequency)
• Inability to hold urine/leaking (urge incontinence)

There are various risk factors for OAB, such as menopause or an enlarged prostate. These conditions may increase your risk for bladder control problems. Overactive bladder is not a natural part of aging. Pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, weak pelvic muscles, diabetes, prostate cancer, bladder cancer or stones, and neurological disorders can also be contributing factors.

Overactive bladder treatmentcan be classified into three categories; behavioral therapy, medical therapy, and surgical therapy. In general, a combination of behavioral therapy and medications has been proven to be most effective in treating OAB. Bladder retraining is the most common overactive bladder treatmentwhich helps you to learn to overcome the urge to urinate. Pelvic floor exercises and avoiding excessive fluid intake are other methods to help control the overactive bladder symptoms.Below is a breakdown of some of these therapies.

Behavioural Techniques

Some people can reduce the symptoms of bladder control problems with healthy lifestyle habits, diet modification, biofeedback, bladder retraining and pelvic muscle exercises.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed by your doctor to help control the symptoms of your bladder control problem. The various types of medications used for bladder control problems focus on the muscles associated with bladder function.

Permanent Surgical Procedures

In some cases, people choose bladder augmentation (changing bladder size), bladder denervation (cutting or excising part of a nerve), or bladder removal to treat their bladder control problems.

Even though bladder problemsymptomsare less intrusive then other common afflictions, it impacts the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Fear and embarrassment from urinary urgency and incontinence in public and among family and friends may result in social isolation, guilt, depressive symptoms, and intimacy issues. Family members of the elderly with OAB are often dealt the burden of assisting their loved ones with toileting, cleaning, hygiene, and personal distress.To get a diagnosis, speak with a physician about your overactive bladder symptoms and how they are affecting your day-to-day life. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms.

Business Address:

MyLeakyBladder
5959 Foxbridge Place,
Mississauga, ON, L5M 6K5
Phone-(647)477-8020
Web: http://www.myleakybladder.ca/
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