Overactive Bladder (OAB): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that leads to an urgent and frequent need to urinate, significantly impacting daily life. Causes may include age, certain medications, or underlying health issues like diabetes or neurological disorders. Symptoms often involve a strong urge to urinate, increased frequency, and waking up at night to urinate. Fortunately, various treatment options are available, including lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor exercises, and medications. Understanding OAB and seeking appropriate care can help individuals regain control and enhance their quality of life. Contact us to make an appointment with our urologist. We are located at 507 N Brightleaf Blvd #205, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Table of Contents:
What flares up an overactive bladder?
What will a urologist do for an overactive bladder?
What happens if an overactive bladder is left untreated?
Can you live a normal life with OAB?
Our team is skilled in diagnosing and treating medical conditions that can contribute to an overactive bladder, including urinary tract infections, neurologic disorders, bladder stones, tumors, prostate enlargement in men, and hormonal changes in women during menopause.
We will also review your current medications to determine if any could be contributing to your OAB symptoms, and if necessary, suggest alternatives that may be less likely to exacerbate bladder issues.
To assist in managing the variables that may lead to an overactive bladder, we offer lifestyle counseling. This includes guidance on weight management, smoking cessation, stress management, posture correction, and physical activity recommendations to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
We also offer dietary counseling to help identify and avoid foods and drinks that may exacerbate your overactive bladder symptoms, such as caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, spicy and acidic foods, and chocolate.
As specialists in urology, we understand that aging can affect bladder control. We provide comprehensive care for older patients, including treatments to help strengthen bladder muscles and reduce the frequency of urination.
The urologists at Mohamed & Associates Urology Center will conduct a meticulous evaluation of your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle during your initial consultation. This comprehensive history and physical examination may include asking you about your fluid intake, frequency of urination, and if you experience any discomfort, urgency, nocturia (waking up at night to urinate), or incontinence.
After the initial evaluation, our urologists may recommend diagnostic tests to rule out other potential conditions and confirm the diagnosis of an overactive bladder. The tests may include urinalysis, urine culture, bladder scans, and cystoscopies to thoroughly examine your urinary system.
Upon confirming the diagnosis, our experienced urologists will recommend an appropriate treatment plan. This plan may include behavioral therapy such as bladder training exercises, pelvic floor muscle exercises, scheduled toilet trips, and lifestyle modifications, and medications.
At Mohamed & Associates Urology Center, we believe in comprehensive care, and hence, our urologists will closely monitor your progress, adjusting your treatment plan as needed during regular appointments. To supplement your treatment, we may also recommend a referral to other specialists, such as a dietitian or physiotherapist, for additional support in managing your symptoms. Lifestyle counseling and support will be provided to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Persistent untreated OAB can lead to severe physical health issues such as dehydration, kidney damage, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of falls. For instance, frequent urination can lead to chronic dehydration if fluid intake doesn’t increase correspondingly. Which can lead to kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and constipation. Severe OAB can also impair the bladder’s ability to empty properly, leading to kidney damage.
Untreated OAB can cause urinary incontinence, where you’re unable to control urination, leading to leaks before reaching a bathroom. This can cause discomfort and embarrassment, negatively impacting your social life, mental health, and productivity
The team at Mohamed & Associates Urology Center is also aware of the impacts untreated OAB can have on your social and sexual life. Fear of urinary incontinence can restrict participation in social events and travel, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. For men, OAB can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation, and for women, it can make sexual intercourse painful or uncomfortable due to urinary frequency and urgency.
OAB might be a sign of more serious underlying conditions like diabetes, neurological disorders, or bladder abnormalities. If left untreated, these could progress to more severe health issues, including bladder prolapse, a condition in which the pelvic floor muscles weaken and the bladder moves out of its natural position.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common urological condition that our team frequently encounters. It is typified by an intense urge to urinate, frequently coupled with involuntary urine leakage or incontinence. This disorder develops when the bladder’s muscles contract excessively, causing spasms that provide the impression of urgency. The underlying causes of OAB can vary and include neurological disorders, urinary tract infections, hormonal changes, and certain medications. Despite the challenges, our team can help you live a normal, active, and fulfilling life with OAB.
The first step to managing OAB is to consult with our healthcare providers here at Mohamed & Associates Urology Center. Our skilled urologists can diagnose the severity of your condition and provide a treatment plan that can help control symptoms. This plan may include medications, behavioral therapies, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or even surgical procedures in more severe cases.
Our team may prescribe medications such as anticholinergics and beta-3 agonists, which can help control the urge to urinate by relaxing the bladder muscles, reducing bladder contractions, and increasing bladder capacity. We also offer behavioral therapies, including bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, and fluid and diet management, which can help you regain control over your bladder.
It’s important to remember that OAB can have a significant emotional impact, causing anxiety, embarrassment, and isolation. Therefore, we encourage patients to seek emotional and social support from family, friends, or support groups. Our team can provide resources, including healthcare professionals, support groups, and online forums.
Living with OAB requires ongoing effort and a positive attitude. But with the proper treatment and lifestyle modifications guided by the experienced team at Mohamed & Associates Urology Center, you can significantly improve your symptoms and reduce the impact of OAB on your life.
Remember, OAB does not have to define you. With our help, you can still pursue your interests, maintain relationships, and enjoy a full and rewarding life. For more information contact us or book an appointment now. We are located at 507 N Brightleaf Blvd #205, Smithfield, NC 27577. West Smithfield NC, Whitley Heights NC, Westview, Smithfield NC, Four Oaks NC, Pine Level NC, Oliver NC, Wilsons Mills NC, Trailwood NC, and surrounding areas.