Management of Overactive Bladder (OAB) involves an escalatory or “stepping up the ladder” approach. The basic and vital step revolves around self-management by lifestyle and behavioral changes. Many people find these changes helpful in controlling their symptoms
Your doctor may first ask to make simple lifestyle changes such as:
Doctors usually advice OAB patients to avoid extremes in fluid consumption (too much or too less-both are not advisable). Six to eight glasses of water per day is ideal. But, patients are also advised not to drink for few hours before going to bed. This will help to reduce the need to get up and go to the washroom at night
Some foods/drinks cause irritation to the bladder and must be avoided
– Alcoholic Drinks,
– Caffeinated Drinks
– Citrus Fruits and Juices
– Artificial Sweeteners
– Spicy Foods
– Tomato based Foods
Constipation can sometimes make bladder problems worse. Keeping healthy bowel habits will help you to avoid constipation and may lessen problems. To do this:
Eat foods high in fiber, such as beans, pasta, oatmeal, bran cereal, whole wheat bread, fresh fruits, and vegetables
Exercise
See your doctor if you have bowel problems
Write down when you make trips to washroom as this can help you to understand your body better. This diary may show you things that make your symptoms worse
Follow a daily washroom schedule. Instead of going when you feel urge, you go at set times during the day
Create a schedule with your doctor
Being overweight can put pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor, which may irritate the bladder and cause bladder leaks. If you are overweight, even a small amount of weight loss can help lessen bladder problems
Cigarette smoking can irritate the bladder and also cause coughing, spasms that can lead to urine leakage
Quitting smoking may reduce bladder problems and you can enjoy other health benefits too
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, the next step may be to take medicine. Your doctor can tell you about oral medications for OAB.
Oral medications like anti-muscarinics and beta-3 agonist, can help stop your bladder from squeezing when it’s not full. Anti-muscarinics and beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist can relax the bladder muscle and increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold and empty.
Your doctor will want to know if the medicine works for you. They will check to see if you get relief or if the medication causes problems, known as side effects. Some people get dry mouth and dry eyes, constipation, or blurred vision. If one medication you try doesn’t work, your doctor may ask you to take different amounts, give you a different one to try.
If lifestyle changes and medications aren’t working, injections may be offered. A trained urologist for men and women, or a female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgeon (FPMRS) can help with this. They may offer Bladder Botox Treatment.
Another treatment for people who need extra help is nerve stimulation, also called neuromodulation therapy. This type of treatment sends electrical pulses to nerves that share the same path as the bladder. In OAB, the nerve signals between your bladder and brain do not communicate correctly. These electrical pulses help the brain and the nerves to the bladder communicate so the bladder can function properly and improve OAB symptoms.
Surgery is only used in very rare cases and when no other treatment option can help. There are two types of surgery available. Augmentation cystoplasty enlarges the bladder. Urinary diversion re-routs the flow of urine.
“Consult your doctor. Your doctor will be the best judge in advising what’s best for you in treating OAB”
