Overview
Overactive bladder (OAB) refers to the sudden and frequent urge to urinate, often resulting in involuntary urination. Patients with this condition often suffer significant lifestyle disruptions as involuntary urination can be isolating and keep them from their favorite activities. Patients should visit a doctor if they are interested in learning more about potential treatment options to treat overactive bladder.
Causes of Overactive Bladder
There are a few reasons for the development of an overactive bladder. Common causes include:
- Nerve Damage: Nerve Damage can disrupt communication between the brain and bladder, leading to a lack of bladder control.
- Infection: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause inflammation and irritation of the bladder, which can cause an overactive bladder.
- Medications: Certain medications may cause patients to urinate more frequently.
- Age: The risk of overactive bladder increases with age and is most common in individuals 65+.
Treatment Options
Plenty of conservative treatments for autonomic neuropathy can provide you with the pain relief you need to get back to your daily activities. There isn’t a one-stop solution to diabetic neuropathy nor is there one treatment to cure it. Keeping this in mind the main goal of treatment is to ease pain and discomfort while also preventing more tissue damage. Treatment may include:
- Diagnostic Imagery. Our doctors will administer an MRI, X-Ray, or EMG/NCV to determine the cause of the pain.
- Conservative Treatment. The doctor will create a conservative treatment plan consisting of physical therapy, pain medications, and/or a TENs unit.
- Injections. The doctor will administer steroid injections at the site of the neuropathic pain.
- Ablation Therapy. Ablation therapy can help to block irregular pain signals from being sent to the brain.
Symptoms of Overactive Bladder
Various symptoms may indicate that a patient has fecal incontinence. This includes:
- Frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the day
- Constant sensation to urinate
- Occasional or frequent leaking
- The feeling you have to urinate but are not able to
Overactive Bladder FAQs
How important is overactive bladder treatment?
Treatment is considered medically necessary if the symptoms of OAB affect the patient’s ability to live a comfortable life.
Is sacral nerve stimulation a good treatment option for an overactive bladder?
Sacral nerve stimulation is one of the most common OAB treatments. This treatment allows patients to live comfortably and not have to worry about their condition.
BEST Health System
BEST Health System partners with premier care providers to improve patient access to quality urology care. If you believe you have an overactive bladder, or if you have recently been diagnosed, relief may be right around the corner. Contact BEST Health System today to take the first step of your treatment journey.