An overactive bladder can be a source of embarrassment, discomfort and inconvenience. There are several treatment options that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of overactive bladder including behavior modification, medication, injections, surgery and sacral nerve stimulation. Discussing these options with your physician can help you decide what can be done for your condition.
Behavioral Methods
The Celveland Clininc offers several suggestions for lifestyle and behavior modifications that can help with an overactive bladder. They recommend avoiding foods and drinks that are known to worsen bladder symptoms. This includes tea, coffee, alcohol, tomatoes, chocolate, citrus, soft drinks, spicy or acidic foods, and artificial sweeteners. They also mention that if you have bowel irregularity this can worsen your bladder symptoms and you should have this situation treated. Also on the list of helpful actions is quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight, drinking lots of nonirritating fluids like water; and kegel exercises.
Medication
Medications prescribed for overactive bladder usually work by blocking the nerve signals that are responsible for urinary frequency and urgency. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse these medications include anticholinergics that help relax the muscles of the bladder. In addition, medications that you are taking for other conditions, such as a diuretic taken for swelling, may be increasing your urine output and contributing to your bladder problems. It is important to let your physician know about all medications that you are taking.
Onabotulinum Toxin A
Onabotulinum Toxin A is a protein produced by the bacteria that cause botulism. When injected directly into tissues in small doses it paralyzes muscles. According to MayoClinic.com, research indicates that Onabotulinim Toxin A may be useful for severe incontinence. However, it is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this purpose and the effects last for only about six months.
Surgery
Surgery is generally reserved for individuals with severe bladder incontinence that does not respond to other methods. The University of California Health Systems mentions that bladder surgery can be used to increase bladder capacity. This procedure comes with the risk that you will require a catheter intermittently for the rest of your life.
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
The National Association for Continence lists sacral nerve stimulation as a possible treatment for overactive bladder in patients for whom other methods have not worked. It involves the implantation of a thin wire close to the sacral nerve that delivers electrical impulses to your bladder. This therapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997 and has been shown to work in four out of five patients with urge incontinence.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Clevelan Clinic: Overactive Bladder Treatment
- UCLA Health Systems: Overactive Bladder - Urology at UCLA
- MayoClnic.com: Overactive Bladder: Treatmments and Drugs
- National Association for Continence: Overactive Bladder Treatment
