Managing an Overactive Bladder
About 40% of women in America experience the symptoms of an overactive bladder (OAB), but many feel uncomfortable discussing their symptoms with others, so they suffer in silence. If you’re encountering OAB, you’re not alone, and there are many ways to treat this condition.
What is OAB?
OAB, or urinary incontinence, is a collection of urinary symptoms, not a disease. One of the most common indicators is the sudden, uncontrolled urge to urinate. Another common sign is the need to urinate frequently throughout the day or night.Some people will leak urine when they feel this urge. This is a medical issue that can greatly affect all aspects of a person’s life, including their work, social life, exercise, and sleep.Women who experience this issue may be frustrated about needing to wear a pad all the time or afraid to partake in normal daily activities because they don’t want to be too far from a toilet. Unfortunately, many believe that this is just a part of getting older, but it’s not—OAB is highly manageable and treatable.
Treatment Options
You should talk with your doctor about your symptoms to determine which treatment is best for you. Effective OAB therapies include:
Botox treatments
Bladder InjectionsClinical research shows that botox injections can be useful to treat severe OAB symptoms. Small doses of this protein are injected into bladder tissues, relaxing the muscles to help regain control.This effect is temporary, generally lasting about 5 months, and repeat injections are necessary. Some patients experience side effects from the injections, so it’s important to consult with your doctor to see if this treatment is right for you.
InterStim Therapy
InterStim therapy is an implantable device that sends mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves near your tailbone in order to control your bladder and the muscles related to urinary function. It’s an effective therapy used to treat urge incontinence, urinary retention, and urgency frequency.When the brain and sacral nerves are able to communicate properly, they can greatly diminish OAB. InterStim therapy is typically offered to patients who haven’t responded well to medications and lifestyle changes.If you’re experiencing symptoms of an overactive bladder, we would be happy to do a medical consultation with you. Give our professional, caring team a call today at (256) 435-2229 or visit us online to learn more!