Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by a sudden, involuntary contraction of your bladder muscles, that leads to an urgent need to urinate. This can result in frequent and uncontrollable urges to urinate, even when your bladder is not full.

We have the best urologists and nephrologists at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center that can help you if you with your overactive bladder. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com.

Cause

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition with various causes and the exact cause may vary. However, several factors and underlying conditions are associated with the development of its symptoms. Here are some common causes and they can include:

• Bladder muscle contractions — OAB is often caused by the involuntary contractions of your detrusor muscle, which is the muscle in the bladder wall responsible for contracting during urination.
• Nerve signal disruption — Disruptions in the normal communication between your brain, spinal cord, and bladder can lead to misinterpretation of signals, causing the bladder to contract involuntarily.
• Aging — OAB becomes more common as you age. Aging can lead to changes in your bladder function, muscle tone, and nerve signals.
• Bladder irritants — Consumption of bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners, can trigger or worsen your OAB symptoms.
• Pelvic trauma or surgery — Past pelvic surgeries or trauma can affect your bladder function.
• Excessive fluid intake — Consuming excessive amounts of fluids can contribute to your OAB symptoms.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms associated with OAB can include:

• Sudden need to urinate — People with OAB experience a sudden and strong urge to urinate, often difficult to delay.
• Increased urination — There is an increased frequency of urination, with people who needs to urinate more often than usual.
• Nocturia — Nocturia refers to the need to wake up and urinate multiple times during the night, disrupting your sleep.
• Incontinence — In some cases, OAB may lead to urge incontinence, where there is an involuntary leakage of urine due to the intense and sudden urge to urinate.

Risk Factors

While the exact cause of OAB may vary, certain risk factors are associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. These risk factors can include:

• Age — OAB becomes more common with age.
• Gender — Women are more likely to experience OAB than men.
• Obesity — Excess weight can contribute to bladder control issues.
• Neurological Conditions — Conditions that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, may increase the risk of OAB.
• Bladder Irritants — Consumption of certain substances, like caffeine or alcohol, can contribute to its symptoms.
• Hormonal Changes — Changes in hormonal levels, such as during menopause, may affect bladder your function.
• Genetics — A family history of OAB may increase the risk of OAB.

Treatment

The management of OAB often involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, behavioral strategies, and medications. Treatment focuses on improving symptoms, enhance quality of life, and address any underlying contributing factors. Treatments can include:

• Behavioral therapies
  • Bladder training — Gradually increase the intervals between bathroom visits.
  • Scheduled Toilet Visits — Create a regular schedule for bathroom visits.
• Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel exercises) — Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
• Lifestyle Modifications
  • Dietary Changes — Reduce or eliminate bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol.
  • Weight Management — Maintain a healthy weight.
• Medications
  • Antimuscarinic medications — Drugs that block certain nerve signals to the bladder.
  • Beta-3 agonists — Medication that relaxes your bladder muscle.
• Botox Injections — Injections into the bladder muscle to relax it and reduce contractions.
• Nerve Stimulation — Methods such as sacral neuromodulation involve electrical stimulation of nerves to improve bladder function.
• Surgery — For severe cases, surgical options like bladder augmentation or urinary diversion may be considered.

If you notice symptoms of bladder issues, talk to a medical provider that could help with the proper diagnosis of your condition. You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center’s best urologist in Brooklyn and inquire about overactive bladder treatments. Our specialists will work with you in managing your condition. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.