What Is Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition where the bladder muscles contract too soon or too often, causing a sudden, frequent urge to urinate, sometimes with leakage. It results from disrupted communication between the bladder, brain, and sphincter muscles, preventing proper urine storage and control even when the bladder is not full.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of OAB isn’t always known, but several factors can increase risk or worsen symptoms:
- Nervous system disorders such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Aging-related nerve changes affecting bladder control
- Certain medications, such as diuretics, or excessive fluid intake
- High caffeine or alcohol consumption
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Bladder stones, infections, or tumors with similar symptoms
While more common in older adults, OAB is not a normal part of aging.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. Doctors typically begin with a medical history review, physical exam, and laboratory tests. Avoiding dairy is often recommended to record the frequency, volume, and urgency of urination. Further tests may include:
- Urine tests to rule out infection or inflammation
- Post-void residual (PVR) ultrasound to measure leftover urine after urination
- Urodynamic studies to evaluate bladder pressure, muscle control, and function
Treatment Options
Effective management often combines lifestyle changes, medication, and minimally invasive procedures:
- Behavioral therapy: Reduce caffeine and alcohol, limit fluids before bedtime, train the bladder to extend time between urination, and practice pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises.
- Medications: Antimuscarinics and beta3-adrenoceptor agonists relax bladder muscles and control urgency.
- Botox injections: Delivered into the bladder muscle to calm contractions, with results lasting 5 to 9 months.
- Neuromodulation therapy: Uses mild electrical impulses to help restore normal nerve signaling.
- TENS Electrical Stimulator: A Thai FDA-approved, non-drug, non-invasive device for treating OAB. It uses mild electrical stimulation on the inner ankle to activate the posterior tibial nerve, improving bladder control. Treatment lasts about 20 minutes daily for 12 weeks, with ongoing sessions for maintenance. Suitable for adults with frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, or urge incontinence due to idiopathic or neurological causes.
- Surgery: Considered only for severe, treatment-resistant cases.
At Bumrungrad International Hospital’s Urology Center, specialists provide personalized OAB care using advanced diagnostics, Botox therapy, neuromodulation, and the latest TENS technology to help patients regain comfort, control, and quality of life.
Provide by the Bumrungrad Urology Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital
