Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overactive Bladder is when your bladder has a strong urge to pass urine even when your bladder is not really full. In other words, your bladder is overly sensitive, or the bladder can squeeze to pass urine even without given instructions.

Let Us Find Out Who Can Get Overactive Bladder

Both men and women can get Overactive Bladder, although older women who have gone through menopause and older men who have had prostate problems are more likely to suffer from Overactive Bladder. Please note that Overactive Bladder is not a normal part of ageing, but people with diseases that affect the brain or spinal cord like a stroke or multiple sclerosis are more likely to have Overactive Bladder symptoms. Now we shall evaluate the symptoms of Overactive Bladder.

Picture Courtesy: RG Hospital

 Overactive Bladder Symptoms 

The symptoms for an Overactive Bladder are an urgency to use the bathroom. The person is forced to rush to the bathroom but does not pee, while others may have a fear that urine may leak out at times.

 There are three main symptoms:

Leak Urine – A feeling that you have to go to the bathroom, urgently. Sometimes urine may leak out even before you reach the bathroom.

Urinate Often –  Usually the need to go to the bathroom often(frequently), day and night (nocturia), that is when you have to go to the bathroom more than 8 times in 24 hours.

Wake up in the night to urinate – This is commonly termed as “Nocturia”, which means you have to wake up several times in the night to urinate.

Picture Courtesy: In Good Health

Ask for Help

Help starts with talking to a trusted healthcare provider about your symptoms, and how it has been impacting your life. You can get ways to manage Overactive Bladder according to your present health and age. Overactive Bladder is a health problem that can last long if not treated early. As many as 30% of older men and 40% of older women struggle from the symptoms of Overactive Bladder, but do not ask for help. All of you who have even the slightest symptoms, please do note that Overactive Bladder can be controlled as there are quite a few treatments available to help.

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How Can Overactive Bladder Affect Your Life

Without getting any treatment for Overactive Bladder, the symptoms can have a scaring impact on your life, as it is to do with numerous visits to the bathroom, which can affect your relationships and be a hindrance during family or friends time out. You would think twice before you want to do the things you love to do, since an Overactive Bladder can have the risk of a leak, or disrupt your sleep or sex life. This might result in being tired or stressed, or even mood swings while a urine leak could result in skin rash or infections, leading to hopelessness or unhappiness.

How Can Overactive bladder Affect Your Life

Note: Do not be bothered about the changes that happen to your body, instead go ahead and get a suitable treatment that is convenient for you and your loved ones.

Text Credits: https://www.urologyhealth.org/