Overactive bladder symptoms: Everything you need to know

An overactive bladder (OAB) is caused by a sudden need to pee. It can also cause involuntary urine loss, generally known as incontinence. 

Because an overactive bladder can be unpredictable, symptoms can be difficult to manage. This can prompt some persons with the illness to limit their social activities, which can have a negative impact on their quality of life. It can also cause social isolation and emotional discomfort.

However, there are alot of medications available to assist you to manage your symptoms. Overactive bladder treatment can also enhance your perspective and lessen the occurrence of incontinence.

Overactive bladder symptoms

Having incontinence on occasion does not imply that you have an overactive bladder. Urine leakage can also happen as a result of other factors, such as excessive laughter. If you've been resisting the desire to urinate for an extended period of time, you may have urine loss.

Urination frequency and urgency are indicators of an overactive bladder. Among the symptoms are:

An intense and uncontrollable urge to urinate 

Involuntary urine loss 

Frequent urination

Getting up more than once during the night to use the restroom

Overactive bladder symptoms can change. They may also differ from one person to another, making it difficult to identify the problem without the assistance of a doctor.

Causes of Overactive Bladder

Urine is produced by your kidneys and transported to your bladder. Then, your brain sends messages to your body, telling it to urinate. When your pelvic floor muscles relax, urine can exit your body.

Your bladder muscles contract automatically as a result of an overactive bladder. This causes you to feel as if you need to urinate regularly even if your bladder isn't full.

OAB symptoms can be caused by a variety of illnesses and circumstances, including:

Excessive fluid consumption

Consuming drugs that cause an increase in urine production

Infections of the urinary tract

Caffeine, alcohol, and other bladder irritants should be avoided.

failure to empty the bladder fully

bladder problems, such as bladder stones

The specifics of an overactive bladder are unknown. The likelihood of getting this condition rises with age. However, because an overactive bladder is not a typical aspect of aging, you should not disregard symptoms. Seeing your doctor can assist ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis of overactive bladder

Your doctor may perform several tests to determine the reason of your overactive bladder symptoms. Your doctor may potentially recommend you to a specialist who treats urinary tract problems. These specialists are known as urologists.

The following tests are used to diagnose overactive bladder:

Urine sample (Urinalysis) 

A urine sample is obtained and analyzed for any abnormalities, including blood. A urinalysis can aid in the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection or other urinary tract issues.

Physical Examination

This enables your doctor to examine for pain around your belly and kidneys and an enlarged prostate.

Bladder Scan

An ultrasound is used in this test to determine how much pee remains in your bladder after you urinate.