Cures for Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder is a condition where a person has a sudden and overwhelming need to go to the bathroom frequently. Often those who have an overactive bladder develop some level of incontinence; that can make daily activities--such as work and social events--constant sources for possible embarrassment. While you may not be able to cure the problem, you can learn to control it.

Behavioral Modifications

• There are several ways to adjust your daily lifestyle to control an overactive bladder. The obvious way is to control fluid intake. This may mean reducing drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol for some people. Others may find that reducing the amounts they drink at different times of the day can help control it.

  In addition to controlling what you put in, you can learn to control how much comes out when you are relieving yourself. Your doctor may recommend learning a technique called double voiding; this simply means that you go to the bathroom and then wait a few minutes to go again. Often there is residual urine that will be released.

  You may also be successful with bladder training that extends holding periods when you have the urge as well. Pelvic floor muscle exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold the urine in. These are often referred to as Kegel exercises where you learn to contract and relax these muscles at will.

Medications

• Some medications have been found to help with an overactive bladder. These medications relax the bladder. In doing so, they reduce the urge to urinate. However, a major side effect of these medications is that they may leave you with a dry mouth. In turn, dry mouth will likely increase your desire to consume more water, making it a never-ending cycle. Some people may fight the side effect by sucking on a piece of candy or chewing gum, but this may not work for you.

  Another medication used is Botox injections. This is a toxic bacteria that is injected directly into the nerves related to urge incontinence. By paralyzing the nerve, the urge is reduced. This is a temporary procedure that lasts for approximately six months. For older adults, Botox may increase problems of overactive bladder.

Surgical

• If your case of overactive bladder is severe--and not responding to behavioral modifications or medication--your doctor may explore surgery options. The two procedures used for an overactive bladder are sacral nerve stimulation and augmentation cytoplasty.

  In sacral nerve stimulation, a wire is inserted near the sacral nerves at your tailbone, and it sends electrical stimulation to the nerves of the bladder. This procedure is akin to a pacemaker procedure in the heart where the stimulation device is placed under the skin and battery operated.

  The second procedure, augmentation cytoplasty, is considered major surgery that increases the capacity of the bladder. It uses grafts from your bowel to replace bladder sections. This is a last resort for an overactive bladder that is not responding to any other treatment options.