An overactive bladder is the feeling that a person has to urinate without notice or underlying warning signs. It is caused by muscle spasms and both men and women can have this condition. A person may have the feeling to go many times during a 24 hour period and get up during the night. There are sometimes leaks when the feeling to urinate comes on for those with an overactive bladder in Wildwood, but other symptoms and illnesses might be increased due to its presence.
What Causes An Overactive Bladder?
There are several causes for this condition and each one brings their own complications for patients. Muscle weakness in the pelvic region is associated with women who have been pregnant and given birth. Being pregnant or during childbirth causes the muscles to become weak, possibly leading to a relaxed urinary system. Medications can interfere with the signals from the nerves to the brain. Also, caffeine and alcohol affect the bladder the same as medications. There can also be damage to the nerves in the area; the damage comes from diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's or from problems like a herniated disc. Being obese puts a strain on the bladder as well with extra weight pushing urine faster than it normally would through the body.
Diagnosis
A doctor will take a complete medical history that includes medications and supplements. Next, a physical exam is performed, with an emphasis on the urinary system. There are certain lab tests that will be done, one of the tests is a urinalysis. Cystometry is done to check the pressure of the bladder, while an ultrasound sees the amount of urine in the bladder. After all the tests are analyzed, then a treatment plan is put into place.
Treatment
There are medications that can be prescribed for this condition; most relax the muscles of the bladder. Botox has been used and is injected into the bladder in some cases. The doctor will decide if one medication or a combination is required to fulfill a treatment plan. Behavior modification may also help; it can be used in conjunction with other treatments or on its own should the doctor see fit. Some of these changes are in diet and fluid intake and others address the emotional impacts of the condition. Keeping a diary will give a view of fluids and diet for each day, then someone will be able to avoid problem areas. Another way is to train the bladder to go according to a new schedule; this method basically takes control of the desire to urinate. Kegel exercises are a good way to strengthen weakened pelvic muscles. Surgery is the last option for treatment, surgical methods to enlarge the bladder can be used in conjunction to change the flow of urine.
Overactive bladder can be disruptive to a normal life, but there are treatments and solutions that might just help. The proper diagnosis and treatment plan makes all the difference, no matter when the condition is observed. A doctor's guidance is all it takes to get on the right track to a normal life with an overactive bladder.
