Have you ever heard the term overactive bladder? It is quite easy to guess that this has something to do with the bladder. But the word overactive can be a tad bit confusing. Does this mean that your bladder is functioning really well? No, it doesn't. In fact, it is an indication that something is wrong with your bladder. It is important to understand that overactive bladder or OB is a condition that can present with a variety of symptoms, and it can be associated with various different conditions related to the urinary tract. It is marked by the uncontrollable urge to urinate, because of which you have to make multiple rounds to the washroom during the day as well as at night. The urge is so overwhelming that people tend to believe that they might embarrass themselves if they don't rush to the washroom. In this blog, we have tried to elaborate on the topic with the help of the experts specialising in urology surgery in Indore, to help you understand more about the overactive bladder its underlying causes, risk factors and much more.

Let's start with understanding what is an overactive bladder

The condition is characterized by a wide gamut of urinary symptoms related to increasing urine frequency, sudden urge to urinate or loss of control over urination. The problem is most commonly related to the overactivity of the main bladder muscles, i.e. Detrusor muscles. Now, there are a variety of different factors that could be responsible for it and these include lifestyle choices, underlying medical conditions or severe injury. In some cases, there can be multiple factors responsible for it and it can be difficult to point out any one of these.

Normally when our bladder is half filled, the brain can sense it and sends nerve signals, causing the bladder muscles to contract. As a result of this, urine is squeezed out. However, in the case of an overactive bladder, the muscles contract randomly and do not wait for the nerve signals, thereby giving rise to a sudden and uncontrollable urge to pass urine.

Here are some of the most common causes of an overactive bladder, as listed by the urology specialist in Indore.

• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Use of catheters
• Weakened pelvic muscles
• Overstretching of the pelvic muscles
• Drop in the estrogen levels, which is likely to happen after Menopause
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia condition marked by enlargement of the prostate gland in males
• Normal delivery in which the birth is given via the vagina
• Congenital or acquired abnormalities of the bladder
• Malignant or benign tumours of the bladder
• No damage caused by injury or trauma
• Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
• Stroke, which is caused by restricted blood flow to the brain
• Undergoing a surgery related to the lower extremities, especially the hip
• Structural deformities in the bladder

Fortunately, most of these problems can be managed using surgical approaches and therapeutic interventions.

As per the best urologist doctor in Pune, an overactive bladder can also be managed using home remedies which are completely natural and backed by evidence.

Firstly you need to be very careful about what is going on inside your body. Yes, we are talking about changes in diet and fluid intake. There are several foods which are known to irritate the bladder, thereby versioning the symptoms of OAB. You need to refrain from adding such foods to your diet. These include alcohol, artificial sweeteners, coffee, citrus fruits and juices, spicy foods, sugar, vinegar, tomatoes, and dairy products. You also need to keep yourself well hydrated as dehydration can irritate your bladder lining making it even more difficult to control the urge to urinate. Drinking too many Fluids can also symptoms, so you have to be very careful with your daily fluid limits, which should neither be too much and not too less. Also, you need to avoid taking water before going to bed, to lower the frequent urge to urinate at night.

You can also practice simple bladder control techniques like scheduling your urination or delaying the urge as much as you can. Keeping the track of your urination might seem a bit funny but it is extremely helpful. You need to keep a track of all the bathroom trips you make in a day along with any leakage or symptoms of urgency that you experienced during the day. Keep a scheduled time to use the washroom and even if you do not feel the need to urinate, make it a point to go to the washroom at that time. You can also try to delay the urge to urinate, however, this does not mean that you should avoid going to the washroom for hours. All you need to do is wait for at least 5 minutes and if you are finding it difficult to do the same you can always try relaxation techniques like deep breathing.

There is another technique that you may find helpful. This is the double void technique, and it can work wonders for people were not able to empty their bladder completely.

You just need to sit on the toilet and lean forward, with your hands on your knees. Once you urinate, set in the same position for around 30 seconds and lean a bit forward and urinate more. This way you will be able to empty your bladder completely.

If you wish to know more about overactive bladder and explore the very treatment options available for the same, visit our best hospital in Pune today.