Signs You May Have An Overactive Bladder

Have you gotten into the habit of locating the restroom when you first go into a building or location? This could be one of the signs you may have an overactive bladder.

When “You Gotta Go”

The best way to describe an overactive bladder, or OAB, is an urgent need to urinate. It can happen frequently and suddenly during the day and several times at night. An overactive bladder will even wake you up at night to go. If you urinate more than eight or more times within a 24 hour period, you probably have an overactive bladder.

When you gotta go, it is hard to control that urge, and sometimes you can leak a bit.

Does It Affect Your Life?

Does your recognition of needing to urinate frequently and suddenly keep you from life’s normal activities? This is truly another sign of an overactive bladder. Locating a restroom in an unfamiliar place is a good way to cope, but staying home is not.

Likewise, feeling embarrassed about the number of times you need to run to the bathroom may keep you from accepting invitations. There is help.

Solutions and Treatments are Available

You certainly don’t need to avoid activities if you have OAB. Talk with The urologists at Louisiana Healthcare Associates Urology Division about the available treatments for an overactive bladder.

Contributing Factors to an Overactive Bladder

You and your physician can’t manage OAB unless you know the causes. There are a number of contributing and risk factors:

• Diabetes
• Urinary tract infections
• Hormonal changes during menopause
• Neurological disorders like a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or MS
• An enlarged prostate gland
• Abnormalities in the bladder like stones or a tumor
• Drinking coffee or alcohol
• Certain medications
• Pelvic muscle weakness

Any of these can contribute to an overactive bladder or be the single cause. Getting older does not cause OAB, but it can contribute to other issues like difficulty walking and being unable to make it to the bathroom in time.

It is essential to be evaluated by Louisiana Healthcare Associates Urology in order to discover the cause(s) for your bladder problem and then be treated.

Sometimes lifestyle changes can be a solution. Limiting coffee consumption and exercising more can help relieve some of the symptoms. Whatever you do, don’t ignore OAB.