Page 1 - Overactive Bladder
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Urological Health


                                Overactive bladder








        An overactive bladder is a common condition of frequent and urgent urination in men,
        women




           he bladder normally stores urine without discomfort    In most cases, the cause of overactive bladder
        Tor pressure until emptying is appropriate. This is       symptoms is unknown. In some patients this problem
        controlled by nerves with input from the brain and        can be associated with certain conditions including
        spinal cord. Most adults void 6-10 times a day and        urinary tract infections, prostate enlargement and
        often up to twice a night. Toilet trained children void   others. Diseases of the brain and spinal cord can
        4-8 times a day. This will depend on the amount you       cause overactive bladder symptoms. Your urologist
        drink.                                                    will clarify your symptoms by asking questions and
                                                                  performing some investigations. Different bladder
                                                                  problems require different treatments.
                     Normal bladder anatomy
                                                                  Investigation of overactive bladder
                                                     Roula Drossis
                                                                  The investigation of overactive bladder symptoms
                                                                  begins with a thorough questioning regarding your
                                                                  voiding pattern, including the timing, frequency and
                                                                  discomfort associated with your voiding or urinary
                                                                  leakage. A voiding diary, recording times and
                                                                  amounts, may be helpful.

               bladder                          uterus            A urine sample may be obtained to exclude a urinary
               prostate                        bladder            tract infection and other bladder diseases. Other
               urethra                                            more sophisticated tests may be required and will be
                                                urethra           described by your doctor. This may include a visual
                                                                  inspection of the bladder (cystoscopy). Urodynamic
                       Male side view  Female side view           assessment, where pressures in the bladder are
                                                                  measured during filling and emptying, may be
                         Normal bladder anatomy                   recommended to better understand your bladder
                                                                  function.

                                                                  Non-medical treatment of
        An overactive bladder is one that does not store
        urine as well as it should. As its name implies, the      overactive bladder
        overactive bladder works too often, causing frequent
        urination in the daytime, increased night-time voiding    Patients who have an overactive bladder should
        (nocturia), an uncontrollable urge to void (urgency)      limit consumption of caffeinated beverages, such
        and sometimes leakage associated with a strong urge       as coffee, tea or soft drinks. Alcohol can also worsen
        to void (urge incontinence). Symptoms may vary from       your bladder symptoms. Maintaining regular bowel
        day to day and in different situations.                   movements is often beneficial.

        Urinary leakage from an overactive bladder differs        It is important to void regularly, about every 3 to 4
        from stress urinary incontinence, which is the            hours. Some bladder symptoms such as urgency can
        involuntary leakage of urine during activities such       be improved with bladder training. One can learn to
        as coughing, sneezing or exercise. Some may have          suppress the urge to void and progressively increase
        a mixture of several types of incontinence (mixed
        incontinence).
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