By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | March 14, 2018
Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a bladder-storage disorder characterized by the following bladder symptoms: urgency, daytime urinary frequency and nocturnia.
What is an Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a bladder-storage disorder characterized by the following bladder symptoms:
What are the causes and risk factors of an Overactive Bladder?
There are several conditions that may cause the signs and symptoms of OAB, such as:
Oftentimes, the exact cause of OAB is not known.
What happens when you have an Overactive Bladder?
Normally, the bladder can store a significant volume of urine (400-600ml) before it signals the need to empty itself. As the bladder muscles gradually stretch during filling, it sends intermittent signals to the brain, and you get the feeling of wanting to pass out urine. If it is not a convenient time to void, the brain signals back, and the bladder muscles remain relaxed, the urethral and pelvic floor muscles keep contracting, and you are able to hold your urine. When you decide that you already want to urinate, your brain sends nerve signals that coordinate the relaxation of the pelvic floor and urethral muscles, and the contraction of the bladder muscles which forces urine out.
In OAB, there is a problem with the nerves and muscles of the bladder resulting in inappropriate or untimely bladder contractions even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. These spasms cause the sudden urge to rush to the bathroom, which may even lead to leakage.
How is OAB diagnosed?
A detailed medical history is first obtained to identify potential risk factors. Your doctor may also need to perform a focused neurological examination to identify other possible conditions.
Other tests may include:
You may also be asked to keep a voiding or bladder diary to assess your baseline urinary habits. This is a record of the amount of fluid you drink, the number of voids you make, and the amount of leakage (if any) that happens in a day.
What are the available treatment options?
Behavioral treatment is initially advised. This includes:
In cases where behavioral treatment is only partially effective, additional pharmacologic treatment may be given. These include:
At The Medical City, what are the related services available for OAB?
At The Medical City, we have a complete roster of competent urogynecologists who can assess and treat patients with overactive bladder. A comprehensive urodynamic evaluation is offered for patients with OAB at the Pelvic Floor Center with the following services:
References:
By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas
March 14, 2018
What is an Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a bladder-storage disorder characterized by the following bladder symptoms:
What are the causes and risk factors of an Overactive Bladder?
There are several conditions that may cause the signs and symptoms of OAB, such as:
Oftentimes, the exact cause of OAB is not known.
What happens when you have an Overactive Bladder?
Normally, the bladder can store a significant volume of urine (400-600ml) before it signals the need to empty itself. As the bladder muscles gradually stretch during filling, it sends intermittent signals to the brain, and you get the feeling of wanting to pass out urine. If it is not a convenient time to void, the brain signals back, and the bladder muscles remain relaxed, the urethral and pelvic floor muscles keep contracting, and you are able to hold your urine. When you decide that you already want to urinate, your brain sends nerve signals that coordinate the relaxation of the pelvic floor and urethral muscles, and the contraction of the bladder muscles which forces urine out.
In OAB, there is a problem with the nerves and muscles of the bladder resulting in inappropriate or untimely bladder contractions even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. These spasms cause the sudden urge to rush to the bathroom, which may even lead to leakage.
How is OAB diagnosed?
A detailed medical history is first obtained to identify potential risk factors. Your doctor may also need to perform a focused neurological examination to identify other possible conditions.
Other tests may include:
You may also be asked to keep a voiding or bladder diary to assess your baseline urinary habits. This is a record of the amount of fluid you drink, the number of voids you make, and the amount of leakage (if any) that happens in a day.
What are the available treatment options?
Behavioral treatment is initially advised. This includes:
In cases where behavioral treatment is only partially effective, additional pharmacologic treatment may be given. These include:
At The Medical City, what are the related services available for OAB?
At The Medical City, we have a complete roster of competent urogynecologists who can assess and treat patients with overactive bladder. A comprehensive urodynamic evaluation is offered for patients with OAB at the Pelvic Floor Center with the following services:
References: