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Signs of Overactive Bladder

The outwardly simple act of urinating requires a complex combination of several organs working in tandem in order to produce satisfactory results. The kidneys, bladder, urethra, nerves, pelvic floor muscles and numerous other muscle groups play a part in the process. People with overactive bladder, or OAB, may experience involuntary bladder contractions, which can create an urgent sense of the need to urinate.

  1. Causes

    • Overactive bladder may be easy to diagnose, but it is not so easy to determine the cause. Certain debilitating conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinson's disease may contribute to or cause OAB. Infections of the urinary tract, diabetes, poor kidney function, enlarged prostate and even too much alcohol or caffeine may contribute to symptoms.

    Causes in Women

    • In women the condition may be the result of neurological damage or disease, bladder stones, cancer, infection or inflammation of the bladder. Some women may experience damage to the bladder muscles during childbirth. Surgery such as a hysterectomy may also injure the bladder muscles resulting in OAB.

    Signs

    • Signs of OAB can include sudden strong urges to go to the bathroom and the possible resulting involuntary release of urine, also known as an episode of incontinence. Urinating more than eight times a day or being awakened at least twice during the night in order to urinate may also be signs of an overactive bladder.

    Effects

    • Overactive bladder can cause an urgency to urinate at inconvenient times when access to a toilet may be limited or nonexistent. The knowledge of this condition may cause the patient to limit activities without immediate proximity to bathroom facilities. This may interfere with everyday life, work and sexual intimacy. Episodes of incontinence may cause embarrassment and a lowering of self-esteem.

    Warning

    • Older people may be at increased risk of OAB, primarily because of other factors that may interfere with the normal function of the bladder such as diabetes or an enlarged prostate. Because other factors could be involved, older adults should not consider OAB to be a natural part of the aging process. According to the Mayo Clinic, the majority of people who suffer from incontinence never seek medical attention, perhaps leaving serious underlying conditions undiagnosed.

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