In short
- Overactive bladder causes sudden urges that are hard to hold.
- It affects women and men alike and becomes more common with age.
- An infection, a stone or a prostate problem must first be ruled out.
- Lifestyle changes, bladder training and medicines help most patients.
What is overactive bladder?
Normally the bladder fills without contracting. In overactive bladder, it contracts involuntarily before it is full, causing an urgent need to go, frequent trips by day and night and sometimes leaks.
Causes to look for
Before concluding, the urologist rules out other causes:
- A urinary infection
- A stone or a bladder abnormality
- An enlarged prostate, in men
- Some neurological conditions, diabetes or certain medicines
Habits that help
A few habits clearly reduce urges:
- Spread drinks out and cut down on coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and alcohol
- Train the bladder by gradually spacing out trips to the toilet
- Avoid constipation
- Lose weight if needed
Treatment
Medicines relax the bladder and reduce urges. If improvement is not enough, other options exist: injections into the bladder wall or stimulation of the nerve that controls it. The choice is made with the urologist, according to how much it bothers you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to get up several times a night?
Getting up once a night is common. More than that, especially if it disturbs your sleep, is worth discussing: the cause may be the bladder, the prostate or producing too much urine at night.
Is overactive bladder serious?
No, but it can greatly disrupt daily life and sleep. It can be treated: do not hesitate to see a doctor.
Learn more
- CareOveractive bladderAn overactive bladder causes frequent, urgent needs to pass urine, sometimes with leaks.
- CareUrinary incontinenceBladder leaks affect many women and men, at any age.
- CareUrinary tract infectionsA single bladder infection is easy to treat.
- CareUrodynamic studyA urodynamic study assesses how the bladder and sphincter work: filling, contraction and leaks.
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Article published by Dr Ayhan Bakar, urologist in Brussels (INAMI 17718534450).
Reference: European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines.