Incontinence. No one likes to talk about it, but it is more common than you may think. Here's you have a comprehensive look at this affliction and how you can manage it, what you can do to minimize accidents or in some instances eliminate it. Here you'll find a comprehensive overview of the: symptoms, causes and treatments for all types of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder ailments. Don't let fear of bladder accidents keep you from the active life with which you are familiar. There are a lot of options available, a few routine changes and lifestyle adjustments can help prevent leaks and get you back to your favorite activities.
Living with overactive bladder — also called OAB — can be a challenge, with the urge to urinate occurring often and suddenly. It can be doubly frustrating when you don't know what causes overactive bladder. You're not alone: As many as one in six adults over age 40 may have symptoms of OAB.
Overactive bladder happens when the muscles of the bladder involuntarily contract more frequently and at inappropriate times.
Your mind reads those contractions as an urgent need to urinate. If you have "dry" OAB, you'll make it to the bathroom on time but it can cause a lot of worry and anxiety. If you have the "wet" form of overactive bladder, you may not always make it without leaking urine (urge incontinence).
Most of the time, doctors don't know what causes this mix up between your bladder and your brain with OAB.
If you wake up from sleep two or more times a night having to go to the bathroom, this is called nocturia. Besides poor sleep, nocturia has been linked to fatigue, low energy, a harder time performing day-to-day activities, and a reduced quality of life.
Depression has also been linked to OAB, especially among people with urge incontinence without a known cause.
It is important to talk to your health care provider about all symptoms you may be having — even if you think they seem unrelated to your condition. That can help him or her keep an eye out for other issues.