Page 2 - Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder

the time between voids. Contraction of the pelvic
floor muscles, as if trying to avoid passing wind from Notes / Diagrams:
the bowel, may help suppress these urges.

Medication

There are a number of medications available to help
control the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Generally, these medications work by blocking the
nerve impulse on the bladder muscle, decreasing
bladder activity and increasing storage volume. This
often helps to decrease frequency and urgency to
void.

There are now many different medications available
to treat overactive bladder and these can be taken
as a pill or as a skin patch. These medications can
have side effects, the most frequent of which is a dry
mouth. Other side effects may include facial flushing,
headache, dry eyes, constipation and abdominal
pain.

Often these medications will be needed for extended
periods of time.

Other treatments

When the overactive bladder remains a problem
unresponsive to medication several options are
available. Injection of botulinum toxin A (i.e., Botox )
TM
can relax the bladder muscle and improve bladder
symptoms for several months. This is typically done Conclusion
in a clinic as a simple outpatient procedure using
local anaesthesia (i.e., you do not need to go Overactive bladder is a common problem that
asleep). Repeat injections may be needed. Another can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
procedure involves surgically implanting a device Fortunately, it can often be helped with lifestyle
similar to a pacemaker for heart patients. This device changes and with certain medications to relax the
will generate mild electrical pulses to regulate bladder.
the nerves of the bladder and control symptoms
(neuromodulation).

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information contained in or referenced by this brochure. cua.org 23E-OABE-07-14
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