11 ways STOP Overactive Bladder | Overactive Bladder Symptoms & treatment

Summary

In this video, Dr. Rena Malek, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, explores the topic of overactive bladder (OAB), including its symptoms, causes, and treatments. Common symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, and bladder leakage. Factors like age, obesity, and certain medical conditions contribute to OAB. Dr. Malek discusses lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding bladder irritants, as well as treatment options, from pelvic floor therapy to medications and advanced procedures like bladder Botox and pacemakers. She emphasizes the importance of seeing a urologist for proper diagnosis and treatment to improve quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by symptoms like frequent bathroom trips, sudden urges to urinate, bladder leakage, and waking up at night to urinate (nocturia).
• 😀 The most common cause of OAB is age, but other factors such as obesity, a history of vaginal deliveries, and certain medical conditions can also contribute.
• 😀 OAB affects around 16% of the population, significantly impacting quality of life, productivity, social interactions, and financial stability.
• 😀 OAB can lead to financial strain due to the cost of absorbent products like pads, diapers, and bedding.
• 😀 Symptoms of OAB can also affect sexual relationships, causing embarrassment and potentially reducing sexual desire due to the fear of accidents.
• 😀 Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, neurological disorders (e.g., MS, Parkinson's), and previous surgeries like hysterectomy, can increase the risk of OAB.
• 😀 Treatments for OAB include lifestyle changes like losing weight, avoiding bladder irritants (e.g., caffeine, alcohol), staying hydrated, and managing constipation.
• 😀 Smoking is a risk factor for OAB and quitting can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
• 😀 Pelvic floor physical therapy, including exercises like Kegels, can help retrain the bladder and reduce symptoms, but a urologist should first assess if there are any underlying issues.
• 😀 When conservative measures don't work, other treatments such as medications, bladder pacemakers, bladder Botox, and nerve stimulation therapies can offer significant relief from OAB symptoms.

Q & A

What are the primary symptoms of overactive bladder?

The primary symptoms of overactive bladder include frequency (needing to urinate more than eight times a day), urgency (a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate), nocturia (waking up at night to urinate more than once), and sometimes urgency urinary incontinence (leakage during the urge).

How can overactive bladder affect a person's quality of life?

Overactive bladder can severely affect quality of life by causing social isolation, work disruptions, anxiety about public places, financial strain due to the cost of absorbent pads, and challenges in intimate relationships due to accidents during sex.

What factors increase the risk of developing overactive bladder?

Common risk factors for overactive bladder include age, obesity, a history of vaginal deliveries, certain medical conditions like diabetes, depression, neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), and previous surgeries such as hysterectomies.

What role does obesity play in overactive bladder symptoms?

Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of urinary incontinence. Studies show that obese women are three times more likely to experience urinary incontinence compared to non-obese women.

How does smoking contribute to overactive bladder symptoms?

Smoking not only worsens overactive bladder symptoms, but it is also a risk factor for bladder cancer. Quitting smoking is highly recommended to help improve symptoms and reduce associated risks.

What are some simple lifestyle changes that can help manage overactive bladder symptoms?

Lifestyle changes such as losing weight (even 8% of body weight), avoiding bladder irritants (like alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods), drinking moderate amounts of water, preventing constipation, and avoiding large gulps of liquid can help manage symptoms.

What is the role of pelvic floor physical therapy in managing overactive bladder?

Pelvic floor physical therapy, including exercises like Kegels, can help retrain the bladder and improve control. It involves techniques to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles and manage urgency effectively.

What are some medical treatments available for overactive bladder?

Medications can help by reducing bladder contractions or relaxing the bladder muscles. Other treatments include bladder pacemakers, Botox injections in the bladder wall, and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, which helps by stimulating nerves that control bladder function.

How effective are bladder pacemakers and Botox in treating overactive bladder?

Both bladder pacemakers and Botox injections are about 80% effective in reducing overactive bladder symptoms. Botox injections last 6-9 months, while bladder pacemakers require ongoing maintenance.

What is percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, and how does it help overactive bladder?

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is a treatment where a needle is inserted into the ankle to stimulate nerves that connect to the bladder. This technique, performed weekly for 12 weeks, helps reduce symptoms in 60-70% of patients.