Overactive Bladder Definition

Overactive bladder is a condition that many people, young and old suffer with and many other people do not understand. Overactive bladder is a condition where the person feels a strong, urgent need to urinate and can include bladder contractions and the leaking of urine. Imagine a day where everything from what you wear to where you go is decided by your bladder. You choose not to wear button up pants because it might take too long to get them undone. Every time you go somewhere the first thing you need to know is where the bathroom is, and you may choose not to venture too far from it.

Symptoms

• Symptoms include stomach pain or discomfort, frequent urination, sudden need to urinate and uncontrollable urination. These symptoms can lead to all kinds of embarrassment and disruption in the person's life. Some symptoms may be disregarded by the patient or the patient may not feel like their symptoms qualify. If you are in doubt, speak with your doctor, he may modify your diet or run some simple tests.

Causes

• An overactive bladder can come from many different things. An overactive bladder is typically a symptom to another problem. Some people who suffer with an overactive bladder also have a nervous system problem. For other people, an overactive bladder comes from weak muscles or a weak sphincter. Infections and bladders stones can also cause overactive bladders. For some people, it is as simple as a dietary issue. Yet for some people it can be as serious as bladder cancer. In men, an overactive bladder can be a symptom of an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This is why it is so important to talk to your doctor about any overactive bladder symptoms.

Medication

• If an infection is present, the doctor will prescribe some antibiotics and symptoms should be relieved with the completion of the antibiotics. Ditropan, Detrol, Enablex and Vesicare are prescription medications that calm the muscles of the bladder making the urge to go less frequent. These are typically given in a once a day dose, which makes it easier on the patient to remember and take the medication. Side effects include dry mouth and constipation and you should not take this medication if you have narrow angle glaucoma.

Retraining the Bladder

• When you have an overactive bladder or incontinence, medication may be prescribed but retraining the bladder and strengthening the muscles that help the bladder are important. The first thing the doctor will most likely try is kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are used by men as well as women. It is a misconception that only women can do Kegel exercises; men also benefit from Kegels. The basics of Kegel exercises are to tighten the pelvic floor muscles, the same muscles that you tighten when you need to use the restroom badly. Kegels can be done anywhere, anytime, without equipment and without anyone knowing that you are doing them. Kegels are typically done for one to five minutes several times a day. Biofeedback and electrical stimulation are used sometimes to make sure that the Kegel exercises are done properly.

Children with Overactive Bladder

• Symptoms of overactive bladders in children are much like those in adults, but with children often punishment goes with involuntary voiding of the bladder. Often for children with overactive bladders the course of action moves from increased fluid intake, timed breaks to use the restroom and anticholinergic medication, if necessary. Children may also suffer from self esteem issues related to the overactive bladder and need reassurance.