Overactive bladder: why you have so much urgency and how to control it
Having the sudden and urgent need to go to the bathroom can limit your social and professional life. Overactive bladder is a very common condition that causes involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle, generating urinary urgency that is difficult to control.
What are the main symptoms?
Classic signs of overactive bladder include:
- Urinary urgency: Sudden and intense need to urinate that cannot be postponed.
- Increased frequency: Going to the bathroom more than 8 times a day.
- Nocturia: Need to get up two or more times during the night to urinate.
- Urge incontinence: Involuntary urine leakage before reaching the bathroom.
Causes and risk factors
Overactive bladder can be caused by several factors that irritate or alter bladder function:
- Enlarged prostate (BPH) in men, which obstructs and irritates the bladder.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or irritating foods.
- Neurological alterations.
- Unknown causes.
Available treatments
Treatment is graded according to severity:
- Habit changes: Reduction of irritants and bladder training with pelvic floor physiotherapy.
- Medical treatment: Anticholinergic drugs or beta-3 adrenergic agonists (which relax the bladder muscle).
- Advanced therapies: In stubborn cases, neuromodulation or injection of botulinum toxin into the bladder.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic tests:
- Micturition diary : Record of the times you urinate and the volumes produced over 2 or 3 days.
- Urodynamic study : Test to evaluate how the bladder muscle behaves during filling and emptying.
- Cystoscopy : Endoscopic visual inspection to rule out stones or tumors that irritate the bladder.
Treatments:
- Relaxing drugs : Use of anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists to calm bladder contractions.
- Botulinum Toxin Injection : Application of this toxin (Botox®) directly to the bladder wall to relax it.
- Sacral neuromodulation : A small device (similar to a pacemaker) that regulates the nerves of the bladder.
When to consult UROCAT?
If urinary urgency dictates your day-to-day life, it’s time to seek help. At UROCAT we will evaluate your case comprehensively to rule out other pathologies (such as prostate hyperplasia) and design a personalized treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Can overactive bladder be cured?
In many cases it can be controlled in an excellent way with medication or lifestyle changes, allowing you to lead a completely normal life.
- Is it the same as a urine infection?
No, but the symptoms are confusing; overactive bladder is a problem of muscle function, not infection.
- Can it be cured with exercises?
Kegel exercises and bladder training can greatly improve control in mild cases.
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