Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overview

This is when you get sudden, strong urges to urinate that you can't control.


These urges are hard to ignore and you might feel you need to rush to the bathroom right away.

Causes

Medical Conditions:

  • Neurological disorders (stroke, MS)
  • Diabetes
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Enlarged prostate

Lifestyle Factors:

  • Excessive caffeine intake
  • High fluid intake
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Some medications

Other Factors:

  • Age-related changes
  • Weakened pelvic floor muscles
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy and childbirth
Signs & Symptoms

Main signs include:

  • Sudden, strong need to urinate
  • Can't hold it when you need to go
  • Going to the bathroom very often
  • Waking up at night to urinate
  • Sometimes leaking before reaching the bathroom

Prevention

You can try:

  • Drinking less coffee, tea and alcohol
  • Managing how much water you drink
  • Being careful about when you drink fluids
  • Controlling your fluid intake

Detection & Treatment

Your doctor will:

  • Talk with you about symptoms
  • Ask you to keep a bladder diary

Treatment options:

  • Changing diet and daily habits
  • Bladder training exercises
  • Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
  • Medications:
    • Different types available
    • Your doctor will choose what's best for you

You can try:

  • Drinking less coffee, tea and alcohol
  • Managing how much water you drink
  • Being careful about when you drink fluids
  • Controlling your fluid intake

Advanced treatments if needed:

  • Special injections
  • Nerve stimulation treatments

Care Management

Daily management:

  • Keep a diary of bathroom visits and triggers
  • Track symptoms for 8-12 weeks
  • Follow bladder training with your nurse
  • Do your pelvic floor exercises regularly

If not improving:

  • Your doctor might do more tests

Specialties & Services

Urology