Overactive bladder is a type of urinary incontinence. It is a condition in which the bladder develops problem in storing the urine normally which causes sudden urge for urination. Very often it leads to urinary incontinence (involuntary passage of urine). This condition does not occur due to aging phenomenon and can occur in person of any age group. Medications are given for strengthening the pelvic muscle of the bladder.
It is difficult in engage in social life for people with overactive bladder. But you can also take treatment to reduce the symptoms so that you can manage the activities of daily life. It is believed that one out of every 11 adults in the USA are having overactive bladder and this figure increases if they are aged.
Symptoms :
• Sudden urge to pass urine
• Difficulty in controlling and retaining urine
• There will be involuntary loss of urine
• Frequent urgent need for urinating is seen
• The affected person will have urge incontinence (not able to control passing urine)
• Frequent urination is observed. Most of the affected people will have 8 or more times of urination in 24 hours time
• Nocturia exists in many people with overactive bladder. (Nocturia is waking up at night 2-4 times for urinating)
• Many times they will be wetting their trousers even they can find a toilet nearby
Causes :
The muscles of the bladder develop spasms involuntarily resulting in sudden urge to urinate. The bladder and many other organs are controlled by nerves and muscles and any interruption in the contraction of the muscle may result in overactive bladder. Detrusor is the important muscle of the bladder and this muscle is controlled by certain nerves.
A chain of interaction is involved in the bladder function involving nervous system, kidney function and muscle activity. Any problem in this system can cause overactive bladder. When the bladder gets filled in with 300 cc of urine or more the nervous system will trigger the detrusor muscles to pass urine. The sphincter muscles of the bladder are capable of holding the urine for long time until the entire bladder (up to 600 cc) gets filled up.