Do you find yourself locating the nearest bathroom when you are out with friends? Do you make it a habit to always use the bathroom before going anywhere? Are wearing leakproof panties now part of your daily attire? If so, you may be suffering from an overactive bladder. There is more you can do to manage this problem. Here are 12 effective tips for managing overactive bladder.
What is OAB?
An overactive bladder is a medical condition that causes your bladder to squeeze urine at the wrong time, or certainly not when you want it to. This can happen even if your bladder is not full.
It can impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to go out with friends, work, sleep, or exercise.
If you have two or more of the following symptoms, you most like
ly have OAB:
- You urinate 8 or more times during the day or 2 or more times at night.
- You have a sudden strong need to pee immediately.
- You leak urine after a sudden strong urge to urinate.
Going to see an experienced physician like the ones at our OBGYN clinic can confirm the diagnosis of OAB. Once diagnosed, you can begin to take control and manage the symptoms in various ways.
Lifestyle Modifications Tips for Overactive Bladder
Our OBGYN may suggest trying some simple lifestyle changes first.
- Limit foods and beverages which may trigger your bladder, such as caffeine, tea, carbonated beverages, fruit juices, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes, and spicy foods.
- Limit fluids. This is a tough one because drinking too much can make your symptoms worse, but not drinking enough fluids can irritate the lining of the bladder and cause the impulse to pee.
- Lose some weight if you are overweight.
- Include more fiber in your diet to help reduce constipation. You can take supplements or just add more natural fiber to your diet.
- Stop smoking.
- Wear absorbent underwear or pads.
Behavioral Therapies for Overactive Bladder
These therapies are aimed at training your bladder.
Timed Voiding
Decide how long you want to wait between urinating during the day. Use the bathroom at specific times. Start with 3 hours for the first 3 days. If that works, gradually increase the time interval by 30 minutes. This helps to train your bladder, but be patient.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises
These are also known as Kegel exercises. These work wonders to stop your bladder muscles from contracting by themselves. Talk with your doctor about how to do them correctly.
Overactive Bladder Medications and Procedures
- Vaginal estrogen can help to strengthen the muscles in the urethra and vagina. Other medications relax the bladder.
- BOTOX injections are given directly into the bladder. This relaxes the muscles and increases the amount your bladder can hold. The shot lasts for 6 months. Talk with your doctor about side effects.
- Minimally invasive electrical impulses are given near the sacral nerves which send signals to your bladder. This is known as a sacral nerve stimulator.
- PTNS stands for the Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulator. This is inserted into tissue in the ankle which connects to nerves that control the bladder. Treatments are administered once a week for a duration of 12 weeks.
- For severe cases of OAB, surgery may be recommended.
Overactive Bladder Treatment in Reston and Leesburg, VA
You don’t have to live with an overactive bladder. Contact All About Women at (703) 437-0001 for an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations.
Sources:
Urinary Incontinence in Women | Johns Hopkins Medicine
OAB: Your Patient Guide Gives Tips for Lifestyle Changes
Overactive Bladder | Polyuria | MedlinePlus
Overactive Bladder (OAB): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment – Urology Care Foundation