How Much Do You Know About an Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder is a health problem that can affect your daily life. The most common symptom is the sudden uncontrolled need or urge to pee (urinate). It can cause you to feel depressed, guilty, and tired from not sleeping well. You may have to miss work. And you may struggle with personal relationships.
Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.
1. Going to the bathroom more than 8 times a day is normal.
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Some people blame
frequent trips to the bathroom on drinking too many beverages, getting older, or having
a small bladder. Instead, the reason may be overactive bladder (OAB). Common symptoms
of
OAB include frequent trips to the bathroom. This means more than 8 times in 24 hours.
You may need to get up several times during a night to use the bathroom. Other symptoms
are overwhelming and unexpected urges to pee, and an intense fear of not finding a
toilet before it’s too late. OAB is a common condition that can be treated.
2. Some types of medicine can cause OAB.
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OAB and other types
of urinary incontinence can be caused by certain medicines. These include water pills
(diuretics), medicines for depression, and medicine for high blood pressure. Caffeinated
drinks can also cause urinary incontinence. Urinary tract infections and nerve damage
from childbirth or diabetes can also cause it.
3. Overactive bladder is just another name for incontinence, or
people who lose control of their bladder and wet themselves.
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About 6 people in 10
who have OAB need to pee often or have an overwhelming, sudden urge to pee. But they
don't wet themselves. Fewer than half of people with OAB lose control of their bladder
and release urine when they don’t want to. So, even those who make it to the bathroom
in
time may have OAB if they have the symptoms of frequency and urgency.
4. Overactive bladder is only a problem for older women.
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OAB is more common in
women after menopause. But people of any age can have OAB. It is not a normal part
of
aging. Remember, you are never too old to get help.
5. Only older women have loss of bladder control during
exercise.
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Loss of bladder
control doesn’t just happen to older women who exercise. More than 1 in 4 elite,
competitive female college athletes have urinary incontinence. Those with OAB often
limit or stop their exercise routines because of the condition.
6. Cutting back on the amount of fluids you drink is a good way
to limit how often you need to use the bathroom.
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People with OAB are
likely to skip fluids before they travel, go to bed, and leave the house. This may
ease
their symptoms. But drinking less liquid can cause dehydration. This is a dangerous
condition in which the body’s water levels drop too low. Severe dehydration requires
a
hospital stay. Dehydration in older adults may cause falls from dizziness or cause
feelings of confusion.
7. Bladder problems do not really affect intimate
relationships.
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More than half of all
sexually active women who have bladder control problems also have sexual problems.
It is
common for these adults to pee upon penetration, or leak or empty their bladder during
orgasm. Women who have OAB are likely to stay away from sexual relationships because
they worry about embarrassing situations that could occur.
8. Bladder control problems can affect how well you do your job
and how much you enjoy social activities.
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More than half of
women who have bladder control problems think their symptoms affect their work and
social relationships. Women who have OAB often become preoccupied with hiding their
condition. They may constantly check their clothes for wetness, try to mask urine
smells
with perfume, and often visit the bathroom. These all make it harder to have a normal
workday or take part in social activities.
9. Not much can be done for overactive bladder.
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OAB is treatable.
People with the condition have more and better options today than in the past. Many
treatments are available, including new medicines with fewer side effects. Treatment
also includes lifestyle and behavior changes. If you think you have OAB, discuss your
symptoms with a healthcare provider.
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