Overactive Bladder: Do You Have One?
Overview: Do you suffer from an overactive bladder? According to the National Association for Continence, one in five adults over the age of 40 is affected by an overactive bladder (OAB).
OAB is characterized by the sudden urge to urinate regardless of the amount of urine in the bladder.
These urges are due to the contraction of the bladder muscles, and can occur at any time.
An overactive bladder may cause urinary leakage, known as incontinence.
Urinary incontinence occurs when you are unable to keep urine from leaking, and can range from an occasional leakage, to a complete inability to hold urine in.
Incontinence occurs most often in elderly people, and women are at a higher risk than men for developing the problem.
When sudden urges associated with OAB cause urine leakage, it's known as urge incontinence.
Urge incontinence starts with a sudden, uncontrollable bladder-muscle contraction during the time the bladder is filling up with urine.
There is usually little time to recognize the need to urinate and the result is urinary leakage.
There are times when urine leaks due to laughter or sneezing, which puts pressure on the bladder.
This is known as stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and overactive bladder are often grouped together, particularly when discussing treatment options.
Treatment: If you are suffering from OAB, some changes in your diet may help to alleviate symptoms.
It is advised that you limit alcohol and caffeine intake and stay away from any foods or drinks that may irritate your bladder.
Eat foods high in fiber, such as flax seed, to help avoid constipation and aid in digestion and regular voiding.
It's also important to maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight increases your risk of OAB and incontinence.
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, talk to your doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
There are many things you can do to help manage incontinence, such as bladder retraining and kegel exercises.
Bladder training involves voiding on a schedule to help teach the bladder to steadily hold urine in.
Over a period of training, the delay between urination can increase and help build a tolerance to the urgency associated with an overactive bladder.
Wearing incontinence briefs or diapers may be enough to manage small amounts, or infrequent urinary leaks.
However, for people who suffer from more severe bladder incontinence, briefs will most likely be worn alongside other treatments.
Your doctor may want to prescribe a medication or surgery if symptoms are severe or worsen.
OAB is characterized by the sudden urge to urinate regardless of the amount of urine in the bladder.
These urges are due to the contraction of the bladder muscles, and can occur at any time.
An overactive bladder may cause urinary leakage, known as incontinence.
Urinary incontinence occurs when you are unable to keep urine from leaking, and can range from an occasional leakage, to a complete inability to hold urine in.
Incontinence occurs most often in elderly people, and women are at a higher risk than men for developing the problem.
When sudden urges associated with OAB cause urine leakage, it's known as urge incontinence.
Urge incontinence starts with a sudden, uncontrollable bladder-muscle contraction during the time the bladder is filling up with urine.
There is usually little time to recognize the need to urinate and the result is urinary leakage.
There are times when urine leaks due to laughter or sneezing, which puts pressure on the bladder.
This is known as stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and overactive bladder are often grouped together, particularly when discussing treatment options.
Treatment: If you are suffering from OAB, some changes in your diet may help to alleviate symptoms.
It is advised that you limit alcohol and caffeine intake and stay away from any foods or drinks that may irritate your bladder.
Eat foods high in fiber, such as flax seed, to help avoid constipation and aid in digestion and regular voiding.
It's also important to maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight increases your risk of OAB and incontinence.
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, talk to your doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
There are many things you can do to help manage incontinence, such as bladder retraining and kegel exercises.
Bladder training involves voiding on a schedule to help teach the bladder to steadily hold urine in.
Over a period of training, the delay between urination can increase and help build a tolerance to the urgency associated with an overactive bladder.
Wearing incontinence briefs or diapers may be enough to manage small amounts, or infrequent urinary leaks.
However, for people who suffer from more severe bladder incontinence, briefs will most likely be worn alongside other treatments.
Your doctor may want to prescribe a medication or surgery if symptoms are severe or worsen.
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