Thankfully, there are a variety of approaches available to ease an overactive bladder.
This article discusses overactive bladder in men.
It explains the common symptoms and causes of OAB and how it is treated.
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What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder is an umbrella term for a collection of urinary symptoms, not a specific condition or disease.
An overactive bladder triggers when there is a miscommunication in nerve signals between the bladder and the brain.
Under normal conditions, the bladder is relaxed until it starts to fill up.
The bladder muscles then squeeze out urine, which flows through the urethra to the sphincter.
OAB can occur when the bladder muscles are too active and begin contracting before the bladder is full.
This causes the hallmark symptom of an overactive bladder: urinary urgency.
This results in a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
While both can cause similar lower urinary tract symptoms, they are different conditions that require different treatments.
Treatment Options
The first line of treatment for OAB is lifestyle changes and behavior therapy.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
The first step in overactive bladder treatment is usually dietary changes.
You may be advised to avoid food and beverages that are diuretics or bladder irritants.
This includes:
You may also be advised to limit fluid intake at certain times throughout the day.
In addition, people who smoke cigarettes should consider quitting as nicotine is a bladder irritant.
Anticholinergics ease OAB symptoms by blocking a chemical that triggers bladder contractions.
These OAB medications include:
Beta-3 agonists treat OAB by relaxing the smooth muscle in the bladder walls.
However, to remain effective, the injections need to be repeated.
You will also need to be monitored more frequently to ensure you are fully emptying your bladder.
Discuss the potential side effects and risks with your healthcare provider.
This helps to reset brain-bladder communication.
OAB symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, and accidents can be disruptive to your life.
Overactive bladder is treated first with lifestyle changes, bladder retraining, and pelvic floor therapy.
If these do not help to relieve OAB symptoms, anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medications may be prescribed.
Additional, more intensive treatments include botox injections, nerve stimulation, and surgery.
If you have symptoms of OAB, talk to your healthcare provider.
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