Home : health : 8 Early Signs Of An Overactive Bladder

8 early signs of an overactive bladder

8 early signs of an overactive bladder

Overactive bladder, or OAB, refers to an abnormally frequent urge to pass urine, which is often difficult to control. Individuals grappling with this condition may lead socially isolated lives owing to the embarrassment caused by its symptoms. The disease may have various underlying causes, including high blood sugar levels, poor kidney functioning, and the prevalence of a neurological disorder. Identifying the early signs of OAB can help one receive a timely diagnosis and treatment.

Common symptoms of an overactive bladder

Sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate
Overactive bladder is characterized by sudden, frequent, and uncontrollable urges to urinate, causing severe discomfort and the need to rush to the washroom multiple times.

Urgency incontinence
The urge to urinate is typically followed by the involuntary passage of urine, referred to as urgency incontinence.

Nocturia
Nocturia refers to the need to pass urine multiple times at night. This is among the most common symptoms of OAB.

Loss of sleep
Sleep is typically disturbed severely due to the sudden urge to pass urine at night. Side sleeping is often suggested as a strategy to control OAB symptoms. Limiting fluids before going to bed can also help with reducing the frequency of urine passage at night.

Anxiety associated with frequent urine passage
Studies have shown that almost 50% of persons with OAB experience anxiety associated with their inability to control the passage of urine. They may also experience high stress levels and depression.

Loss of appetite
Frequent urination can lead to loss of appetite and fatigue associated with having to pass urine multiple times a day.

Lack of sex drive
Studies have found that an overactive bladder is associated with compromised sexual health, reduced sex drive and an inability to achieve fulfillment. These symptoms are particularly prevalent among women with OAB.

Bladder spasms
Some patients with OAB may experience cramps or pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by the urgent need to pass urine. Some patients may also experience cramping.

Tips to manage OAB symptoms

Avoid caffeinated beverages after sunset
Caffeinated beverages can increase one’s frequency of passing urine. Hence, it is advisable to control caffeine intake in general and particularly avoid caffeinated beverages after sunset.

Practice pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises, including kegels, are effective ways of controlling OAB symptoms by strengthening the bladder and pelvic muscles. However, one should consult a doctor before practicing these exercises.

Incorporate non-acidic, healthy foods
Foods with low acid levels can help reduce the frequency of urination. These foods should not be processed and should be rich in essential nutrients. Some such foods include whole grains like oats and rice, vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, beans, asparagus, celery, and sweet potatoes, fruits like berries, bananas, and pears, and protein sources such as chicken, tofu, and fatty fish.

Check for food intolerances
Having foods that one is intolerant to can aggravate OAB symptoms. Hence, it is important to consider if one is intolerant to specific foods or food groups, such as gluten and lactose.

Avoid spicy foods
Spicy foods are inflammatory and can irritate the bladder, exacerbating OAB signs. Thus, one should avoid spicy foods like certain types of sauces and chilies.

In addition, OAB can be highly mentally and emotionally distressing for patients. Seeking professional and family help for daily chores is essential while recovering from the condition.

Featured Articles

Diagnosis, stages, and prevention of heart diseases
health

Diagnosis, stages, and prevention of heart diseases

Heart disease is a serious health condition, and it is also one of the main causes of death in the country. Irrespective of what kind of heart-related issue one has, they can be diagnosed with the help of certain tests. Once these are carried out, and a proper diagnosis is arrived at, the heart specialist, also known as a cardiologist, treats the condition accordingly. Diagnosis of heart diseases Heart-related conditions can be diagnosed via chest X-ray and blood tests. However, these are not the only available options that doctors use to determine the cause of the problems. Here is a list of some common tests that are also an option. Electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter monitoring Echocardiogram Stress test Cardiac catheterization Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Different stages of heart failure Heart failure is a heart disease with different types and stages. There are mainly four stages known as A, B, C, and D. Stage A exposes one to the risk of heart failure. It can develop due to family history, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome, among others. Stage B is more serious, as one starts to develop pre-heart failure conditions. During this stage, systolic left ventricular dysfunction occurs, which can lead to heart failure in the future.
Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn
health

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn

Heartburn and GERD are often used interchangeably. However, heartburn is a common symptom experienced by people who suffer from acid reflux, and if heartburn occurs more than just twice in a week, the condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition affects as many as 20 percent of the country’s total population. Stages of GERD GERD is a progressive condition, and the treatment offered depends on the stage of the condition. How severely the reflux is taking place into the esophagus determines the stage of the condition. So, the various stages of GERD are: Stage I At this stage, the symptoms of the condition are mild and occur about once or twice the month. The treatment at this stage involves more lifestyle changes combined with some over-the-counter medications. Stage II When a patient is at this stage, the symptoms become more frequent and the need to take an acid-suppressive medication arises. If the medication is not taken, the symptoms of the condition can become severe and can interfere with the daily routine of the patient. When left untreated, the symptoms are also linked with inflammation of the esophagus.
Male hair loss and its various aspects
health

Male hair loss and its various aspects

Hair grows on all parts of the human body, apart from some places like the palm of the hands and the soles of our feet. Hair is essentially made of keratin, which is a type of protein. Keratin is produced on the outer layer of the skin in hair follicles. The follicles produce new hair cells and old cells are subsequently pushed out of the surface. There are 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair on a human head, and one loses about 100 hair in a day. Thus, hair loss can be normal. However, we should only be concerned if there is hair loss at an alarming rate. Stages of hair loss Hair loss , also known as alopecia, is divided into different types: the age at which it starts, the duration of hair loss, and the area of the body. Further there can be multiple diseases and disorders which can lead to hair loss as a side effect. There are noticeably and popularly seven different stages of hair loss. The duration of different stages can depend on the individual. The Norwood Scale defines seven stages of hair loss in men: Stage 1 Significant loss or a receding hairline is not noticed in this stage.
Hearing loss – All you need to know
health

Hearing loss – All you need to know

Hearing loss gradually occurs as the body ages, making it common among seniors, but it can affect people of all ages due to a birth defect or damage to the ear due to an injury. Almost one-third of America’s population between the ages of 65 and 75 years suffer from some level of hearing loss. Depending on the part of the ear that’s affected, hearing loss can be divided into three types: Conductive : Hearing loss involving the outer or the middle part of the ear Sensorineural : This type of hearing loss involves the inner part of the ear Mixed : This is a combination of the other two types of hearing loss Stages Various levels of hearing loss have been identified by audiologists: Mild hearing loss People with mild hearing loss can hear sounds ranging between 25 and 40 decibels, so sounds like the ticking of a clock or a faucet dripping will be inaudible. Keeping up with a conversation that they have with one person might not be much of a challenge for people with mild hearing loss. Moderate hearing loss At this stage, people with hearing loss might not be able to hear sounds below 41 to 55 decibels.
Autoimmune diseases – All you need to know

Autoimmune diseases – All you need to know

The immune system of our body is constantly fighting against viruses and bacteria. Its job is to protect us from foreign cells that try to harm us. However, there are certain illnesses that can result in your immune system attacking your own healthy cells. These illnesses are known as autoimmune diseases. They cause the immune system to treat certain body parts as foreign elements and release auto-antibodies to attack the cells. Causes of autoimmune diseases Exactly what causes the autoimmune diseases is still unknown, but researchers around the world have come up with a few possibilities. While genetics can be at fault, your diet, certain infections, and exposure to specific chemicals may also result in autoimmune diseases. Types of autoimmune diseases There are many different types of autoimmune diseases that affect your immune system and cause it to attack the healthy cells in your body. Below is a list of the most common types. Type 1 diabetes This causes the immune system to attack the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Rheumatoid arthritis This illness forces the immune system to attack the joints in the body and results in stiffness, soreness, and redness. Multiple sclerosis The nerve cells in the human body are protected by a coating called the myelin sheath.
Read More

Top Articles