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About overactive Bladder (OAB)

About overactive Bladder (OAB)

If you think you need to go to the washroom many times during the day, you have to wake up from sleep to go to the washroom more than once a night or your urine leaks when you feel the sudden urge to go

“It could be overactive bladder (OAB)!”

    How does the urinary tract work?1,2

  • The urinary system filters blood and produces urine as a waste by-product.

  • The organs of the urinary system include the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra.

  • The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy.

  • After the body has taken the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood.

  • The kidney and urinary systems help the body to eliminate liquid waste called urea, and to keep chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, and water in balance.

  • Urea is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is removed along with water and other wastes in the form of urine.
How does the urinary tract work?

What is OAB?1,5

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a condition in which the bladder muscle do not work normally and starts contracting uncontrollably leading to bothersome urinary symptoms. You may feel embarrassed to talk about your bladder problems. Try not to worry because many people have OAB. You are not alone! It affects almost 12% of the total population.

Normal Bladder

There are no frequent forces by the bladder to rush to the washroom.

Normal Bladder

Once its full. its time to urinate.

OAB Bladder

In OAB bladder forces you to rush to the washroom.

OAB Bladder

This may lead to frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate. Sometimes with leakage also.

What are the symptoms of OAB?

The four most common symptoms reported by patients suffering from OAB are:3

    • Urgency

      Urgency

      An unexpected and overwhelming need to pass urine that can’t be ignored or postponed

    • Frequency

      Frequency

      Passing urine more than 8 times a day                                   
                                        

    • Nocturia

      Nocturia

      When you have to use the washroom for more than once at night, which disturbs your sleep.

    • Urge incontinence

      Urge incontinence

      Any involuntary loss of urine (which could be few drops or large amount)

“If you think you have some or any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor”

Who gets OAB?3-6

OAB is caused when the nerve signals between your bladder and brain don’t work normally.

    • Sex

      Sex

      Both men and women can have OAB
       
       
       

    • Age

      Age

      it can occur at any age and is a common problem in elderly people. However, It’s NOT a normal part of aging.

    • Cause

      Cause

      Very often it has no known cause, although it can occur following a stroke or as a result of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

    • Older women

      Older women

      who have gone through menopause and men who’ve had prostate problems are more likely to have OAB.

    • OAB

      OAB

      can also occur as a side effect from a medication or due to weak pelvic floor muscle (muscle that supports your bladder).

How OAB affects life?3

OAB affects multiple dimensions in life such as:

Effect on day to day routine:

  • It disturbs the way of your daily activities at work or home with many trips to the washroom.
  • OAB affects sleep because of increased urge of using washroom during sleep also.
  • The frequent trips to washroom may get you worried and embarrassed sometimes.

Effect on social life:

  • If you have OAB, you may be avoiding going out with friends or attend social outdoors as you feel afraid of being far from washroom.
  • This makes many patients with OAB feel worried, lonely and isolated.
  • OAB may affect relationships with spouse also. It can disrupt your sleep and sex-life.
  • If there is leakage (urine leak), you may develop skin problems or infections.

“However, there’s good news! OAB can be managed well and symptoms can be controlled.
You don’t need to let OAB rule your life. If you think you have OAB, consult your doctor.”

How is OAB diagnosed?4,5

The doctor does a series of tests to understand what causes your symptoms. Part of the diagnosis is ruling out other possible explanations for the symptoms, such as urinary infection or diabetes.
First, the doctor will take your medical history and do a physical examination. If needed, other tests will be performed.

Medical history

The doctor will take a detailed medical history and ask questions about your symptoms. You can help your doctor by preparing for the consultation:

  • Describe your current symptoms
  • Explain how long you have had the symptoms for
  • Make a list of the medication you are taking
  • Make a list of previous surgical procedures
  • Mention other diseases you suffer from
  • Describe your lifestyle (exercising, smoking, alcohol, and diet)

Physical examination

Your doctor or nurse will do a general physical examination focussing on:

  • Your abdomen
  • Your genitals
  • The nerves in your back

Urine test

  • The test will show if you have a urinary tract infection and if there are traces of blood or sugar in the urine

Bladder diary

  • Your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary.
  • Note down how much you drink, how often you urinate
  • How much urine you produce

Uroflowmetry

  • This is a simple test which electronically records the rate of urine flow. For this test, you need to urinate into a container, called a uroflowmeter .
  • This test helps your doctor to check whether there is any obstruction to the flow of urine.

Imaging of the bladder

  • The doctor or nurse will scan your bladder to check how much urine is left in the bladder after urinating.
    Bladder examination
    If there is blood in the urine, you need a bladder examination.
  • The doctor uses a type of endoscope – called a cystoscope – to look inside the bladder, usually under local anesthesia.

Urodynamic evaluation

  • A urodynamic test is done to get more information about your urination cycle and how your bladder muscles work.
  • During the test, your doctor inserts catheters in your urethra and rectum to measure the pressure in your bladder and abdomen.
How is OAB diagnosed?

     

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