Overactive bladder (overactive bladder) that needs to be known

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Definition

What is that overactive bladder?

Overactive or overactive bladder overactive bladder (OAB) is a problem with the storage function of the bladder that causes a sudden urge to urinate. This urge can be difficult to stop and can lead to the passing of urine without realizing it (urinary incontinence).

Millions of people worldwide have an overactive bladder problem. According to the National Association of Continence, one in five people over the age of 40 have an overactive bladder or have disorders related to this condition.

About 85% of these people are women. In the group of women, one in four people experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime. Although there are many factors that cause bladder disease, you can prevent it by reducing the existing risk factors.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is a condition that affects the bladder. Therefore, people with this condition usually experience the following symptoms.

• Sudden urge to urinate and it is difficult to control it.
• Urine comes out without realizing it even though it's been detained
• Urinating more frequently, usually eight or more times in 24 hours.
• Waking up two or more times at night to urinate (nocturia).
• Too often urinating to interfere with daily activities.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Overactive bladder is a common disorder experienced by older people. However, this does not mean that it should be considered normal. If your symptoms start to interfere with your daily life, try consulting your doctor.

An overactive bladder can also indicate other health problems. Therefore, you should get checked out if you experience symptoms:

• fever,
• pain or heat when urinating,
• bloody urine (hematuria), as well
• sluggish body.

Cause

What caused overactive bladder?

The kidneys filter blood and produce urine. The urine that is formed is then flowed to the bladder for temporary storage. At the end of the bladder, there is a sphincter (ring-shaped muscle) that keeps urine from passing.

When the bladder begins to fill, the brain sends signals to the bladder nerves to urinate immediately. The bladder muscles contract (squeeze), the sphincter opens, and urine finally comes out in the process of urinating.

On overactive bladder, there appears to be an error sending signals between the brain and the bladder. The bladder muscles contract too early even though the bladder is not full. These contractions trigger the urge to urinate more often than usual.

There are many conditions that can cause it overactive bladder, and here are some of them:

• Nerve disorders, for example due to stroke or multiple sclerosis.
• Urinary tract infection with symptoms similar to an overactive bladder.
• Hormonal changes during menopause.
• Nerve damage due to diabetes.
• The presence of a tumor or stone in the bladder.
• Enlarged prostate, constipation, or surgery side effects.
• Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption.
• Take drugs that increase urine production.
• Decrease in bladder function with age.

Risk factors

Who is more at risk overactive bladder?

As you get older, you are more prone to developing an overactive bladder. The age factor also makes you more at risk of health problems such as an enlarged prostate (BPH disease) and diabetes, which can cause bladder dysfunction.

Not only that, the risk of an overactive bladder is also greater in people who experience:

• Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and the like that interfere with brain function,
• brain or spinal injury,
• constipation, especially chronic (chronic),
• hormonal changes,
• recurrent urinary tract infections,
• weakness or spasm of the pelvic muscles, and
• side effects due to certain medications.

If you have any of the above factors, try to consult a doctor to reduce the risk. Overactive bladder is a condition that is difficult to avoid, but you can control the risk factors that are there.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose overactive bladder?

There are various factors that can cause it overactive bladder. This is why doctors need to carry out a series of examinations to determine a diagnosis. Here are the various tests that you will undergo:

1. View medical history

At this point, you need to mention each symptom you are experiencing, when they started, how severe they are, and how they affect your daily activities. You also need to tell your doctor about your diet and drug consumption.

2. Physical examination

Your doctor will examine your entire body for any possible causes of an overactive bladder. This stage includes examining the abdomen, organs inside the pelvis, and rectum.

3. Keep a urination journal

You may be asked to keep a urination journal over the next few weeks. This journal contains:

• How much fluid are you drinking.
• When and how much you urinate.
• How often do you feel like urinating.
• When does urine come out without realizing it and how much.

4. Other checks

If needed, the doctor can also perform a complete examination which includes:

• Urine test. Your urine sample is checked for blood or signs of infection.
• Scan bladder. Scanning generally uses ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or X-rays.
• Other tests. Urodynamic tests to measure the ability to urinate or cystoscopy to see the condition of the urinary tract.

Medicine and Medicine

How to treat overactive bladder?

There are a number of methods that can help you deal with an overactive bladder. Depending on the condition of your bladder, you may need to undergo one or more types of medication at once.

The following types of treatment are available:

1. Lifestyle changes

Often times, it's the first step doctors recommend coping overactive bladder is changing your lifestyle. This change is also known as behavioral therapy. You will be asked to make a number of changes consisting of:

• Do not consume anything that interferes with bladder function, such as spicy and acidic foods, caffeinated drinks, or alcohol.
• Continue filling out the urination journal.
• Urinate on schedule.
• Hold back urination when it's not time.
• To do double voidingthat is, urinating twice with a break of a few minutes to make sure the bladder is completely empty.
• Perform pelvic muscle exercises and Kegel exercises to relax the bladder muscles.

2. Take drugs

If the lifestyle cannot cope overactive bladder, the next step is the consumption of drugs. The types of drugs that are commonly given are antimuscarinic, beta-3 agonists, and patches or drugs transdermal patch.

Antimuscarinic drugs and beta-3 agonists can relax the bladder muscles so that the bladder is able to accommodate and excrete more urine. These two drugs can be taken individually or as a combination as needed.

Meanwhile, transdermal patch placed on the skin so that the medicine in it can immediately enter your body. The doctor will see which drug is best suited for the mildest side effects. For optimal results, you may be taking medication while undergoing lifestyle changes.

3. Botox injection

Botox injections use toxins from bacteria C. botulinum. Small doses of Botox can relax the bladder muscles, thereby reducing the urge to urinate. The effects of Botox last for six months, so you may need to repeat them.

4. Nerve stimulation therapy

Also referred to as neuromodulation therapy, it is a mainstay method for treating an overactive bladder due to neurological disorders. This therapy utilizes a small voltage current to correct the transmission of signals between the brain and bladder.

There are two types of nerve stimulation therapy, namely:

• Neuromodulation of the sacral nerves. A thin wire is placed near the sacral nerves to prevent nerve signals from making the bladder overactive.
• Tibial nerve stimulation. The doctor inserts a needle into the tibial nerve in the leg. This needle sends signals from a special instrument to the tibial nerve, then the sacral nerve.

5. Bladder surgery

This method is only used in cases of very severe overactive bladder. There are two types of surgery, namely surgery to widen the bladder and surgery to improve urine flow.

Home Care

How to live a healthy life if you have overactive bladder?

An overactive bladder does have a big impact on everyday life. The reason is, the feeling of wanting to urinate appears constantly so that it interferes with every time you move.

Even so, you can still live a healthy life and reduce symptoms with the following tips.

1. Maintain a healthy body weight

Excess weight can put pressure on the bladder, resulting in an overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. As much as possible, maintain a healthy weight and shed excess weight if you are obese.

2. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are two things that will worsen symptoms overactive bladder. So, limit consumption and replace it with drinks that are healthier for the bladder such as water or fruit juice.

3. Urinate on schedule

If you are just starting treatment, try practicing urinating every 1-2 hours for two weeks. Once you get used to it, increase the spacing for 15 minutes over the next few weeks so that you can urinate every 3-4 hours.

4. Manage existing diseases

If you have a disease that interferes with the function of the bladder, try to apply various doctor's recommendations so that the disease does not get worse. When you manage existing diseases, it also helps you maintain bladder health.

5. Doing Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises that are done properly can strengthen your pelvic muscles so that you are able to urinate on schedule. To do Kegel exercises, try to hold your pelvic muscles like you are holding pee for 5-10 seconds and repeat 2-3 times a day.

6. Consume fiber

One of the triggers overactive bladder is constipation that is not handled properly so that the stool presses on the bladder. To prevent constipation, don't forget to include vegetables and fruits in your diet.

7. Avoid abstinence

Food and drink, certain habits, and unmonitored urination patterns can exacerbate bladder problems. Here are some things you need to avoid if you have an overactive bladder:

• sour and spicy foods,
• foods and drinks that stimulate urine production,
• artificially sweetened foods and drinks,
• urinating openly without following a schedule, and
• delay bowel movements.

Overactive bladder or overactive bladder is a bladder function disorder characterized by frequent urination. If left untreated, this condition will make you go back and forth to the bathroom so that it interferes with your daily activities.

Handling overactive bladder consisting of lifestyle changes, drug consumption, and therapy. Given that the causes vary widely, you should consult your doctor if you experience symptoms. Your doctor can help you find the cause and solution of this condition.