Overactive Bladder Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Overactive Bladder Syndrome, also called OAB, is a urological syndrome from which millions of people suffer worldwide. It is a syndrome of frequent, spontaneous, and hard-to-suppress urge to void. The urge sometimes causes involuntary leakage of urine, i.e., urge incontinence.

OAB also impinges on daily life to a significant extent, with embarrassment, emotional distress, and interference with work, sleep, and social life. Understanding the etiology, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment is required for successful management and relief.

Here, in this blog, you will get the complete information on Overactive Bladder (OAB), but we have put a little less effort into keeping the content short. So, read the blog to learn about this syndrome.

What is Overactive Bladder Syndrome or OAB?

Overactive Bladder Syndrome, or OAB, is the syndrome of an overactive bladder. It includes bladder contractions leading to a sudden, strong urge to void. Unlike all other urinary conditions, OAB is neither an infection nor a structural one. Instead, it is due to the overactivity of a detrusor muscle, which is employed to contract the bladder.

The symptoms employed in diagnosing OAB are:

• Urinary Urgency
• Increased Urinary Frequency
• Nocturia (Nighttime Urination)
• Urge Incontinence

Causes of Overactive Bladder

Some of the causes of OAB are not necessarily diagnosed, but the majority of the conditions can be the reason for its development:

Diseases of the Nervous System

Nervous system diseases can lead to the dysfunction of the normal bladder. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke influence the nerves that control bladder contraction to produce an overactive bladder.

Abnormalities of the Bladder

Bladder structural disease, such as bladder stones, bladder tumors, or secondary inflammatory responses secondary to infection, can produce bladder mucosal irritation and bladder muscle spasms.

Aging-Related Changes

With increasing age, the storage capacity in the bladder decreases as well as bladder elasticity with more frequent micturition. The muscular strength of urination and inhibitory control over urination also decrease with age.

Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders

Diabetes again damages nerves that regulate the bladder, with the development of OAB symptoms due to it. Increased need to urinate is also caused by elevated blood sugar levels, and this gets worse.

Hormonal Changes

Menopause leads to low estrogen levels in women, and this makes the bladder tissues weak, and OAB symptoms result.

Obesity

Excess weight puts a lot of pressure on the bladder, and this results in frequent use of the toilet.

Some Medications and Dietary Factors

Some of these drugs such as diuretics produce excessive amounts of urine than normal, and it produces more OAB symptoms. Irritant foods such as caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and acidic foods enhance bladder irritation.

Overactive Bladder Symptoms

The most frequent symptoms of OAB are:

• Abrupt and Strong Urge to Urinate: This urge to urinate can be abrupt and hard to control.
• More than eight times urine may be required to urinate in 24 hours.
• Nocturnal frequent urination interferes with sleep and causes fatigue.
• Involuntary, reflex leakage of urine on walking to the toilet.

If they are persistent and start interfering with life, it is always best to consult a doctor for treatment and evaluation. Dr Ravi Gupta, the best Urologist in Jaipur, provides the best Overactive Bladder treatment.

Risk Factors of Overactive Bladder

Certain risk factors increase the chances of developing OAB:

Age: Older patients are vulnerable since the bladder muscles are weakened.

Gender: Postmenopausal women are vulnerable due to an imbalance of hormone.

Obesity: Patients who are obese put pressure on the bladder and increase the symptoms.

Neurologic Disorders: Stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are risk conditions for conditions.

Chronic Illness: Diabetic and renal disease increase OAB symptom severity. Previous Surgery on the Pelvis: Hysterectomy and other surgeries could result in bladder dysfunction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Treatment of Overactive Bladder

The Overactive Bladder can treat with many surgical procedures. However, if it is in starting stage, you can treat it without surgery also. Below, you with find all procedure to treat overactive bladder.

Lifestyle Changes

Bladder training, diet adjustment, and weight reduction are required in the management of OAB symptoms. Cessation of offending agents such as caffeine and alcohol may minimize bladder irritation and reestablish control.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Straining of the pelvic floor using Kegel exercises increases bladder control and relief from symptoms.

Medications

Relaxation of bladder smooth muscle by anticholinergics and beta-3 adrenergic agonists increases capacity and alleviates urgency.

Surgical Treatment of Overactive Bladder

Below, you can check some surgical treatment of Overactive bladder.

Botox Injections

Botulinum toxin or Botox injection can decrease bladder muscle contracture. It can also decrease spasm frequency.

In the Botox treatment of Overactive bladder, doctors inject a small quantity of Botox into the wall of the bladder using a cystoscope, a thin tube passed into the urethra. This paralyzes overactive muscles temporarily, increasing control over urination.

Treatment also is non-invasive and is performed under local anaesthesia. Effects also are four to six months duration, at which time reinjection may be required for ongoing relief.

Nerve Stimulation Therapy (Sacral Neuromodulation)

Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) is an implantable treatment procedure in which a small electrical stimulator is placed under the skin near the sacral nerve in the lower back. The stimulator sends small electric pulses to control bladder control.

The treatment is in two stages: a trial stage, where insertion of a reversible electrode is to test if the treatment is helpful, and permanent implantation if the treatment is helpful. SNM is generally reserved for patients who do not respond to medication.

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)

PTNS is the procedure in which there is insertion of a thin needle electrode close to the tibial nerve just above the ankle.

Weak electrical currents are implanted in the nerve, changing bladder function by changing nerve signals to the brain. Treatment is 30 minutes per session, and most typical is seven sessions a week for 12 weeks. PTNS is well tolerated and provides an option for people who do not want invasive therapy.

Surgery for Bladder Augmentation

Surgery for bladder augmentation is reserved for treatment-resistant OAB.

The procedure involves stretching out the bladder by taking a portion of intestine out and using that to stretch out the bladder. It decreases urgency and incontinence. The procedure is a major one and might include having to have a catheter after the surgery to be able to empty out the bladder thoroughly.

Bladder augmentation is only done as a last measure when symptom improvement isn’t achieved with conservative therapy.

When to Visit a Physician for Overactive Bladder Syndrome

To treat OAB on time, it is important to get a consultant with the best urologist in Jaipur on time. You must visit a doctor if:

• Symptoms affect usual daily routines or sleep.
• Urinary urgency or incontinence embarrasses or stresses.
• Home care and lifestyle modifications do not work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, treating an Overactive Bladder is important to live a healthy lifestyle. In this blog above, we have provided complete details of OAB. Knowing what causes it, observing its symptoms, and having lines of treatment implemented makes control over their bladder possible.

However, you must also consult with the best urologist in Jaipur before going for surgical treatment. Seeking consultation with a urologist for customized therapy will enhance one’s way of life significantly and stop complications.

We hope the above information will be helpful for you.

FAQs About Overactive Bladder

Q.1: Can an overactive bladder be cured?

Ans. OAB can be controlled quite well by changing a few lifestyle adjustments, medication, and medical treatments. Although it may not be possible each time to eliminate the condition, the symptoms can always be controlled better.

Q.2: What not to eat while having OAB?

Ans. The most likely to irritate the bladder and make the symptoms worse are caffeine, alcohol, hot food, artificial sweeteners, and acidic food.

Q.3: For how long do I treat OAB?

Ans. Response time is relative. Weeks are drug response time, and Botox injections and nerve stimulation therapy respond in weeks.

Q.4: Is OAB always surgical?

Ans. No, it is a line of treatment when everything else in lines of treatment has been exhausted.

Q.5: Does stress cause an overactive bladder?

Ans. Yes, tension and stress can make the bladder overact by altering nerve messages.