What is an Overactive Bladder?
Eimear Nee, the Allcare Pharmacy trainer, discusses overactive bladder risk factors and helpful lifestyle changes that may help your symptoms.
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition where there is a regular sudden urge to pass urine.
- The bladder contracts too early in people with OAB, even when there is little urine in the bladder.
- The urge to urinate can occur unexpectedly at any time of the day or night and the sensation is challenging to put off.
- People with OAB frequently need to pass urine, typically 8 or more times during the day or 2 or more times during the night.
- They have considerably less control over when the bladder contracts to urinate and therefore OAB can sometimes lead to accidental leakage due to not reaching the toilet in time.
Is overactive bladder common?
OAB is estimated to affect more than 15% of the Irish population over the age of 40 and it affects both men and women of all ages. OAB can have a big effect on a person’s quality of life, impacting work, sleep and relationships and can lead to feelings of fear and isolation.
What are the main causes of overactive bladder?
Often, the cause of OAB is unknown. Risk factors for OAB include:
- Neurological conditions
- Conditions affecting the spinal cord and brain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Hormonal changes
How do I know if my bladder is overactive?
On average, people pass urine 6 – 8 times daily however this varies greatly. For some, 4 times daily is normal, and others, 10 times per day. What is considered overactive for one person, may not be overactive for another.
The number of times per day that you urinate is also dependent on the quantity of fluids you drink. Certain medicines may also worsen the condition e.g. diuretics (water tablets)
What can I do if I have an overactive bladder?
If you think you might be suffering from OAB, you should see your doctor. Your doctor may ask you to do the below:
- You might be asked to keep a ‘bladder diary’ which will help your doctor to understand your condition more clearly. You could be asked to document in your diary how often you urinate, what you drink etc.
- Your doctor might also suggest bladder retraining techniques, focusing on timed urination, double voiding or delaying voiding when the initial urge occurs. Bladder retraining techniques are a form behavioural therapy which aim to help you gain control over the urgency to urinate.
- You may also be prescribed medication to help your symptoms. There are many prescription medicines which help to relax the bladder and increase the amount of urine that your bladder can hold.
Your doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes which can help to reduce your symptoms.
What lifestyle changes will help my OAB?
- Limit the amount of caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol you drink, which may irritate the bladder.
- Limit spicy foods and tomatoes, as they can also be an irritant.
- Aim to drink approximately 6 – 8 glasses of fluid per day. You shouldn’t cut down significantly on fluid intake to improve symptoms, as this can lead to an increased risk of infection and bladder irritation. Your doctor will discuss your target daily fluid intake with you.
- Kegel exercises may help, which will often be given to you by your doctor - these help to relax your bladder muscles and improve your symptoms
What will help my OAB at night?
If night-time symptoms are particularly challenging:
- Reduce fluid intake in the evening time
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed
Please note: If you are experiencing a frequent urge to urinate, in addition to a burning pain when passing urine or if your urine is cloudy and unpleasant smelling, you may have an infection and should see your doctor as soon as possible. If you are a woman experiencing urinary urgency and you have cystitis symptoms, our Allcare Online Doctor may be able to help.