Overactive bladder is a condition that causes your bladder to start urination at the wrong time. Signs of overactive bladder include: urinating more than eight times a day, having a sudden urge to urinate, or urinary incontinence.
Some conditions can cause overactive bladder, including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and neurological disorders. Treatment of underlying conditions may relieve symptoms of overactive bladder. If an untreatable condition causes overactive bladder, your urologist may recommend behavioral techniques, medication, or targeted exercises.
Urologists at Urology Clinics of North Texas are expertly trained in treating overactive bladder. Schedule an appointment today if you are having urinary symptoms.
Overactive bladder is caused by muscles of the bladder involuntarily contracting, even when there is not much urine in your bladder. This muscle contraction causes an urgent need to urinate. There are conditions and risk factors that can cause overactive bladder, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol
- Neurological disorders, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
- Aging
Sometimes treatment of underlying conditions can relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder. Symptoms of an overactive bladder include:
- A sudden, strong urge to urinate
- Experiencing incontinence, when urine cannot be held
- Frequent urination, more than eight times a day
Always consult your doctor about any urinary problems.
If you have overactive bladder symptoms, your urologist will conduct a urine analysis to determine if you have an infection. Your urologist will also evaluate your medical history, looking for any other potential causes for overactive bladder symptoms. A physical exam will also be performed, focusing on your bladder and pelvic area.
Your doctor may also check to see if you are completely emptying your bladder during urination with an ultrasound. It is also common to measure the urine flow rate with a uroflowmeter.
If overactive bladder is caused by behavioral habits or an underlying condition, that will be treated first.
If underlying condition treatment does not relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder, treatment options may include:
Behavioral techniques
Your doctor may suggest bladder training to strengthen your muscles, including scheduled bathroom breaks and fluid management.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises, such as kegels to strengthen your muscles
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication to relax your bladder muscles if you have an overactive bladder.
Botox
Medication administered directly into the bladder muscle using a cystoscope.
Surgery
Procedures involving surgery is for patients with severe symptoms who do not respond to other treatments. The goal of surgery is to improve the bladder’s ability to store and retain urine.
Overactive bladder is a condition that causes your bladder to start urination at the wrong time. Signs of overactive bladder include: urinating more than eight times a day, having a sudden urge to urinate, or urinary incontinence.
Some conditions can cause overactive bladder, including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and neurological disorders. Treatment of underlying conditions may relieve symptoms of overactive bladder. If an untreatable condition causes overactive bladder, your urologist may recommend behavioral techniques, medication, or targeted exercises.
Urologists at Urology Clinics of North Texas are expertly trained in treating overactive bladder. Schedule an appointment today if you are having urinary symptoms.
Overactive bladder is caused by muscles of the bladder involuntarily contracting, even when there is not much urine in your bladder. This muscle contraction causes an urgent need to urinate. There are conditions and risk factors that can cause overactive bladder, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol
- Neurological disorders, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
- Aging
Sometimes treatment of underlying conditions can relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder. Symptoms of an overactive bladder include:
- A sudden, strong urge to urinate
- Experiencing incontinence, when urine cannot be held
- Frequent urination, more than eight times a day
Always consult your doctor about any urinary problems.
If you have overactive bladder symptoms, your urologist will conduct a urine analysis to determine if you have an infection. Your urologist will also evaluate your medical history, looking for any other potential causes for overactive bladder symptoms. A physical exam will also be performed, focusing on your bladder and pelvic area.
Your doctor may also check to see if you are completely emptying your bladder during urination with an ultrasound. It is also common to measure the urine flow rate with a uroflowmeter.
If overactive bladder is caused by behavioral habits or an underlying condition, that will be treated first.
If underlying condition treatment does not relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder, treatment options may include:
Behavioral techniques
Your doctor may suggest bladder training to strengthen your muscles, including scheduled bathroom breaks and fluid management.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises, such as kegels to strengthen your muscles
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication to relax your bladder muscles if you have an overactive bladder.
Botox
Medication administered directly into the bladder muscle using a cystoscope.
Surgery
Procedures involving surgery is for patients with severe symptoms who do not respond to other treatments. The goal of surgery is to improve the bladder’s ability to store and retain urine.
