Urgent Bladder Problems

If you have an urgency problem with your bladder, it can be embarrassing and annoying. You should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment because many of the conditions causing this problem are easily remedied. Overactive bladder is more common in women than men and often occurs in older adults.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of an overactive bladder may include a sudden, strong urge to urinate; involuntary leaking or total voiding of urine when coughing, sneezing or laughing; frequent urination (eight or more times in one day); and waking with the need to urinate two or more times during the night.

Causes

• Causes of overactive bladder may be due to increased urine production caused by diabetes, kidney problems, too much fluid consumption, urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, excessive use of caffeine or alcohol, inflammation of your urinary tract, abnormalities in your bladder (bladder stones or tumors) and certain medications, such as diuretics. Other possible causes include nerve damage, neurological disease (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or a stroke) or cancer of the bladder or prostate.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is made by a complete medical history and a thorough physical examination, including your abdomen and genitals. A urinalysis can determine if there is any blood or infection, or any other abnormal conditions. Additional tests may include a neurological exam (to check for sensory problems), uroflometry (measurements of residual urine and flow rate), cystometry (pressure and flow of your urine), electromyography (coordination of nerve impulses in your bladder), video urodynamics (x-ray or ultrasound) and cystoscopy (a thin tube with a scope inserted into your urethra to look at your bladder).

Treatment

• Treatment may include decreased fluid consumption, increased fiber (constipation is sometimes the cause), double voiding (urinating, then waiting a few minutes and urinating again to empty your bladder), bladder training (gradually delaying urination for increasing periods of time), Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, scheduled bathroom trips, absorbent pads, maintaining a healthy weight and intermittent catheterization (done at home to drain your bladder). Medications may include Ditropan, Detrol, Sanctura, Enablex, Vesicare and Oxytrol, which is a skin patch.

Complications

• Overactive bladder can interfere with your quality of life because the need to run to the bathroom disrupts your normal everyday activities. As a result it can lead to emotional distress and depression. In some cases, if other treatments are not effective, you may need surgery to correct the problem. In the event of cancer, treatments will vary depending upon the extent of the disease.