Can Overactive Bladder Be Cured?
Many people suffer from an overactive bladder without realizing it.
When the muscles in the bladder contract more frequently or intensely than they should, a person can experience urinary incontinence and urinate too often.
The condition is caused by a number of factors including age, pregnancy, childbirth, diabetes, and other health conditions. It’s important to know that there are many treatments available for this condition which range from medication to surgery depending on severity.
Can overactive bladder be cured?
Overactive bladder cannot usually be cured, but it can be treated. The combined effects of changes in lifestyle and medication can make a person with an overactive bladder more comfortable and reduce the impact on his or her day-to-day life.
The first step towards managing this condition is to visit a doctor who will be able to properly diagnose the cause of the symptoms.
The doctor will ask questions about a person’s medical history and conduct a physical examination to check for any abnormalities which might be causing the bladder muscles to contract more frequently than they should.
In many cases, a urinalysis will also be recommended as it can indicate whether the problem is caused by an infection or another condition.
Next, a doctor will suggest a treatment plan which might range from changes in diet to medication.
If the problem is caused by an underlying health condition, it’s important that this root cause is identified and treated too.
In some cases, surgery might be required to implant devices such as thin tubes with electrodes that stimulate the muscles of the bladder wall.
However, it’s important to remember that overactive bladder cannot usually be cured.
Once the condition has been treated, a person will need to continue taking his or her medication for as long as deemed necessary by the doctor.
Treatment can reduce how often an individual urinates which can improve quality of life and make it easier to manage incontinence.
What are the specific symptoms of an overactive bladder?
The symptoms of an overactive bladder vary from one individual to the next.
Here are some of the more common symptoms:
- Urinating too often, especially at night
- Feeling the need to urinate even when the bladder is not full
- A sudden, strong urge to urinate which cannot be controlled
- Urine leakage
- Difficulty delaying urination
It’s important to note that these are just some of the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
The severity and type of symptoms a person experiences will vary depending on the frequency and intensity with which his or her bladder muscles contract.
What causes overactive bladder?
The symptoms of an overactive bladder can be caused by a number of different factors.
Some of the more common causes include:
Weak pelvic muscles: As people age, their muscles naturally become weaker which can lead to an overactive bladder. The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for controlling urine flow so when they become weak, it’s easier for them to contract involuntarily. Pregnancy and childbirth can also weaken these muscles which can make a woman more likely to experience incontinence.
Diabetes: People who have diabetes are at an increased risk of developing chronic bladder issues such as the overactive bladder.
This is because those with type 2 diabetes tend to have reduced blood flow, which reduces how much oxygen and nutrients reach the nerves in the bladder which might cause them to become damaged.
When these nerves are damaged, they can send incorrect signals to the brain which makes it more difficult for a person with an overactive bladder to control their bladders.
Urinary tract infections: A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria entering the urethra so that they can infect the bladder and urinary tract.
In some cases, a UTI can cause someone to experience the symptoms of an overactive bladder because it might damage or inflame the nerves which control urination.
A person who has been diagnosed with a UTI will need antibiotics to clear up the infection before he or she can begin treatment for an overactive bladder.
Medication: Certain prescription medications can cause people to experience the symptoms of an overactive bladder as a side effect.
Some of these drugs include those that treat high blood pressure, depression, and psychosis.
In addition, some hormonal birth control methods have been known to increase a person’s chances of developing an overactive bladder.
Medication usually has to be discontinued for the symptoms of an overactive bladder to improve.
However, in some cases where a condition is causing severe side effects and cannot be managed any other way, the medication might need to remain intact and an individual will instead switch to taking medications that can treat his or her bladder issues.
Excess weight: Carrying too much weight can put pressure on the bladder and pelvic region which might cause the muscles to twitch erratically.
This makes it more difficult for people with an overactive bladder to control their bladders which could lead them to experience urinary incontinence or leakage of urine.
Estrogen deficiency after menopause: Estrogens play a key role in regulating the function of the bladder and controlling its muscle tone.
When a woman experiences menopause, her estrogen levels begin to drop which makes it more difficult for her to control urination.
As such, women who are going through or have already gone through menopause might be more likely to experience incontinence or uncontrolled bladder contractions.
Consult with your doctor if you are experiencing the symptoms of an overactive bladder because there might be a number of different causes.
What can be done to treat overactive bladder?
There are several treatments available for individuals who suffer from an overactive bladder, including medication, surgery, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes.
Medication can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor depending on the specific types of medications that are used.
Certain medications act as antimuscarinics to reduce bladder contractions while others might help relax muscles in the bladder.
Some medications might also aim to increase bladder control by reducing muscle contractions.
Another medication called Mirabegron causes the muscles of the bladder to relax in order to make it less sensitive when its is stretched by urine which reduces involuntary contractions which makes it easier for a person to control urination.
In addition, some medications might help a person go longer without having to urinate even though they might not prevent the contractions that lead to incontinence.
Surgery is another option for individuals who are experiencing urinary incontinence or have been diagnosed with a UTI because it can be used to repair damaged nerves and muscles.
In some cases, surgery might be an option if medication does not help relieve the symptoms of overactive bladder.
Another treatment option is dietary changes which might involve drinking less fluids or eating certain foods that can either help the bladder contract or relax.
Dietary changes are usually combined with other treatments to treat overactive bladder.
Finally, there are lifestyle changes that might include limiting caffeine intake, avoiding drinks that have alcohol in them, regularly exercising, and regularly monitoring your weight.
During regular exercise, core muscles are strengthened which can help improve the strength of the bladder muscles.
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