Do I Have An Overactive Bladder (OAB)?

Do you feel a sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control (you must rush to the bathroom because you are afraid that you may leak urine if you do not go immediately)?

Do you feel like you can’t completely empty your bladder, so soon after using the toilet you feel the need to go again?

Do you experience unintentional leakage of urine immediately after an urgent need to urinate (urgency incontinence)?

Do you urinate frequently, usually eight or more times in 24 hours?

Do you wake up more than twice during the night to urinate (nocturia)?

Are you overweight (your body mass index (BMI) is over 25)?

If you are a woman, have you given birth or have you gone through menopause?

Does your diet include spicy food or you drink a lot of coffee (more than 2 cups per day) or alcohol (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)?

Do you have a personal history of any of the following conditions: bladder stones, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, urinary tract infection, trauma to the pelvis or bladder or prostate cancer?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have an overactive bladder. Overactive bladder, also known as OAB is a medical condition that describes a frequent, sudden and urgent need to urinate that is difficult to control. Having OAB can affect a person's work and social life and limit their daily activities. People with OAB often feel embarrassed and tend to isolate themselves from others. Healthy lifestyle choices may reduce your risk of OAB, so tray your best to maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise and limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. If you have symptoms that cancers you, please talk to your doctor.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have an overactive bladder (OAB). Overactive bladder is a medical term for a specific group of urinary symptoms and it is characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate. The risk of OAB increases with age but OAB is not a normal part of aging. Almost 40% of women and 30 % of men in the United States live with the symptoms of OAB. There are various treatment strategies to alleviate the OAB symptoms. Behavioral interventions are an effective treatment method that includes exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises), scheduled toilet trips and bladder training.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have an overactive bladder (OAB). Overactive bladder refers to a combination of urinary symptoms that includes a frequent and sudden urge to urinate that you cannot control. OAB can be a result of nerve damage, weak bladder muscles or bladder abnormalities (bladder stones), infection, use of medications, alcohol or caffeine and being overweight. Your doctor or your urologist can help you manage the symptoms of OAB by choosing the right combinations of treatment strategies for you. Treatment includes dietary changes and bladder-holding techniques, prescribed medications, bladder botox treatment, nerve stimulation and surgery.