Let’s talk about something that doesn’t usually come up at the dinner table but impacts millions of people - overactive bladder (OAB). If you’ve ever felt like you’re living life with a constant need to pee or suddenly have to make a mad dash to the nearest restroom, this might sound all too familiar. But don’t worry, you’re not alone and there are plenty of ways to manage it.

What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)?

Overactive bladder is exactly what it sounds like: your bladder is working overtime when it really doesn’t need to. It’s a condition that causes sudden, strong urges to urinate, often followed by leaks (aka incontinence). For some, OAB might mean going to the bathroom more than eight times a day and even during the night. This can really mess with your routine, sleep, and overall quality of life.

But here’s the thing, OAB isn’t a disease in itself. It’s more like a collection of symptoms that point to your bladder being overly sensitive or not communicating properly with your brain.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder

So, what does OAB actually feel like? Here are the most common symptoms:

Urgency 

You suddenly feel like you’ve got to go right now. It can hit out of nowhere and be hard to ignore.

Frequency 

You’re running to the bathroom more often than usual, typically more than 8 times in a 24-hour period.

Nocturia 

This is a fancy way of saying you’re waking up multiple times a night to pee. Not fun when you’re just trying to get some sleep!

Urge Incontinence 

That sudden urge to go can sometimes lead to leaks if you can’t make it to the restroom in time. This is where incontinence often comes into the picture.

While these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, the key is how disruptive they are. If you feel like you’re organising your entire day around finding the next bathroom, it’s worth looking into.

Causes of Overactive Bladder

There isn’t one single cause of OAB, which can make it tricky to pin down. Here are some common culprits:

Muscle Overactivity 

Your bladder has muscles that contract when it’s time to pee. With OAB, these muscles sometimes contract when your bladder isn’t even full, making you feel like you’ve got to go.

Neurological Issues

Conditions like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, or even a stroke can interfere with the nerves that communicate between your brain and bladder, causing OAB symptoms.

Hormonal Changes

For women, menopause and hormonal shifts can play a role in bladder health. Reduced oestrogen levels can make the bladder more sensitive or less supportive.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

A UTI can mimic OAB symptoms, like urgency and frequency, but it’s a temporary condition that clears up with treatment.

Lifestyle Factors

Consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, or even spicy foods can irritate your bladder. Stress and anxiety can also exacerbate OAB symptoms.

How OAB Leads to Incontinence

One of the most frustrating parts of OAB is urge incontinence, which happens when the sudden need to pee leads to leaks. It’s not just inconvenient, it can also be embarrassing and impact your confidence. 

This can create a vicious cycle where people start avoiding social activities or even exercising because they’re worried about accidents. But the good news is, with the right approach, you can get things under control.

Treatment Options for Overactive Bladder

There are plenty of ways to manage OAB. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

Lifestyle Changes

• Bladder Training: This involves scheduling bathroom trips and gradually increasing the time between them to retrain your bladder.
  
  
• Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels): Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help you better control your bladder.
  
  
• Diet Tweaks: Cutting back on bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can make a big difference.

Medications

Some medications can relax the bladder muscles or block the nerve signals that cause those unwanted contractions. Talk to your doctor about options like anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists.

Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist who specialises in pelvic health can help you learn techniques to improve bladder control.

Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help manage the stress and anxiety that sometimes come with OAB.

Medical Procedures

• Botox Injections: Yes, the same stuff used for wrinkles can be injected into your bladder muscles to relax them and reduce overactivity.
  
  
• Nerve Stimulation: Devices like a sacral neuromodulator can send electrical signals to the nerves controlling your bladder to help regulate its activity.

Absorbent Products

For those dealing with leaks, high-quality incontinence products can be a lifesaver. These are discreet, comfortable, and give you the freedom to focus on life instead of worrying about accidents.

Here at Invizi, we have a range of incontinence products for different levels of bladder leaks, be sure to check them out and if you need a hand choosing which is best for your needs, take our Invizi Fit Quiz.

Living Your Best Life with OAB

Dealing with an overactive bladder can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Start by having an open conversation with your doctor or a specialist about what you’re experiencing. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to tackle it head-on.

Also, don’t shy away from talking about it with trusted friends or family. The more we normalize these conversations, the less isolating they feel. OAB isn’t a reflection of who you are, it’s just something your body is dealing with, and there are so many tools to help.

So, whether it’s tweaking your diet, trying new treatments, or finding the right products, take it one step at a time. You’ve got this!