Overactive Bladder
Overactive Bladder
The healthy bladder
The healthy bladder stores the urine received through the ureters and as the bladder fills, it signals to the brain the need to urinate. When you feel ready, you go to the bathroom and you let the bladder do its job: the bladder muscle contracts to expel urine through the urethra.1
References: 1. Berne RM et al (1998) Physiology, 4th ed., Mosby, pg 684-685
What is overactive bladder (OAB)?
An OAB is one that does not store urine as well as it should. As its name implies, the overactive bladder works too often or too strongly. OAB is characterized by a sudden, strong need to rush to the toilet (urge sensation). It often leads to an increased frequency of trips to the toilet (urinary frequency) and sometimes, it can lead to leaking or wetting accidents too (urge incontinence).2
The good news is that the symptoms of OAB can often be treated.
Other causes of these symptoms such as urinary tract infections, pregnancy, and various other conditions in the urinary tract should be excluded by your doctor before treatment is started.
References: 2. Overactive bladder. CUA 2007
How can I improve my bladder control?
Symptoms of OAB can be distressing, but there are steps you can take to help regain control. The most important thing is to be open in discussing your symptoms with your doctor and to follow suggestions about treatment options. In addition to taking your medicine, there are a few more things you can do that may help you gain better control over your bladder.
Bladder retraining: Maintain a voiding schedule to retrain the bladder.3
Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles to help keep urine from leaking.
Kegel exercises are the most common ones suggested for this purpose. Here are some simple tips on how to do these exercises:4
• Find the right muscles: Try to stop the flow of urine when you urinate. If you succeed, you have identified the right muscles and learned the basic move.
• Exercising: Contract your pelvic muscles, hold the contraction for 5 seconds and then relax for 5 seconds. Try it five times in a row. Work up to hold the contraction for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing 10 seconds between contractions.
• Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath.
• Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. Try to fit these exercises into your regular daily routine.
Lifestyle changes: Important to help reduce symptoms.3
For example:
• Drink the right amount of water and spread the intake throughout the day;
• Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol (coffee, tea, carbonated drinks);
• Maintain a healthy weight;
• Try to quit smoking because the chronic cough associated with smoking is a risk factor for incontinence.
References: 3. Incontinence: a Canadian perspective (2007); The Canadian Continence Foundation. 4. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kegel-exercises/WO00119