How to Diagnose an Overactive Bladder

Diagnosing an overactive bladder is an intensive procedure that should always be performed by a medical professional in a medical setting. Several different factors need to be considered when making a diagnosis. These include medical history, urinalysis, blood tests, ultrasound and stress test.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor
• Medical Records
• Medical Machinery
• Ultrasound

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Instructions

Diagnosis

• 1

  Have your doctor investigate your medical records (i.e., past urinary problems, drug abuse, illness, recent surgery) to determine if you have any indicators of an overactive bladder.

• 2

  Have a urinalysis performed by your doctor. Your urine should be tested for signs of urinary stones, bacterial infections or other similar symptoms that may be associated with an overactive bladder.

• 3

  Have your doctor perform a blood test to determine any causes of incontinence or other symptoms associated with an overactive bladder.

• 4

  Make sure that your doctor performs an ultrasound to examine the various internal organs that may be associated with an overactive bladder. These organs include the kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters (the tubes that bring the urine from the kidneys to the bladder).

• 5

  Receive a stress test while still in the doctor's office. The test will consist of relaxing and then purposely coughing loudly to see if there is any urine expelled in the process. This test will help to reveal any incontinence with your bladder.