How to treat overactive bladder syndrome (OAB)?

An overactive bladder syndrome is a condition in which a person gets a sudden desire to pass urine. This sudden need can arise at any time of the day. It cannot be delayed. Some other related terms are urinary urgency and urgency continence. In this condition, the urinary bladder does not give any warning to pass the urine. Urgency incontinence occurs when an involuntary leakage of urine occurs without any warning. All these conditions are related to overactive bladder syndrome. Normally, people pass urine 6 to 7 times during the day. 

Effect of OAB on life

It can have a huge impact on the social and personal life of a person. If this condition is left untreated then constant visits to the bathroom during any meeting or an event can create many problems. This makes many people lonely and depressed. A person also becomes sleep-deprived due to constant visits to the bathroom at night. Some skin infections around the vulva may develop due to urine leakage. 

Causes

Normally, the brain sends signals to the bladder when a sudden need arises to empty out the urine wastes from the bladder. The bladder muscles get squeezed and then the urethra flushes out the urine. Normally, the bladder remains relaxed. In a healthy person, the brain sends signals to the bladder once it is full but in OAB that is not the case. Even if the bladder is not full, the sudden need to empty the urine arises and the brain is unable to send any signals to the bladder. 

Sometimes, when the muscles in the bladder become overactive then they contract too much due to which a sudden desire to flush out the urine arises. This is called urgency. 

Risk factors include:

• Hormonal changes
• Infection in the urinary tract
• Weakness in pelvic muscle
• Neurological disorder
• Poor signals between the brain and bladder
• Side effects from medicines

Diagnosis 

Your GP may refer you to a urologist for a medical examination. The urologist may ask you some questions related to your health history, symptoms, duration of the symptoms, and impact on your life. A physical examination may occur by checking the rectum and pelvic organs to determine the cause of the condition. You may be asked to write the number of visits to the bathroom every day for a few weeks to know the urine cycle. The urologist may run a series of tests like urine tests, bladder scans, cystoscopies, or urodynamic testing to determine the in-depth cause of this condition. 

Treatment

Prescription drugs

One way to manage OAB is to take prescription drugs on the recommendation of your doctor. Myrbetriq is a prescription drug that most doctors recommend taking. You can check generic Myrbetriq cost by logging onto the website of 90daymeds which sells medicines at cheaper prices. 

Lifestyle changes

The doctor may recommend you make some lifestyle changes like eating certain foods, changing your drinking habits, and making a pre-plan visit to the bathroom. This is called behavioral therapy.