The bladder is responsible for storing and discharging urine and is a muscular organ. Because the bladder and nerves are well coordinated, a normal person does not feel any discomfort even when the amount of urine reaches 400~500ml. Overactive bladder is known as a disease in which the bladder becomes too sensitive and causes various symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, and residual urine due to contraction of the bladder muscle regardless of one’s will. It is also called irritable bladder syndrome. I write. Overactive bladder is known to occur in 1.6 out of 10 adults over the age of 20, and the incidence increases with age.
The exact cause of overactive bladder is not known. Urinary tract infection, hormone deficiency, drug side effects, increased urination due to excessive fluid intake, obesity, constipation, bladder outlet obstruction, and other factors are known to affect the occurrence. It can also be caused by nervous system causes such as brain tumors, dementia, surgery in the pelvic cavity, nerve damage due to childbirth, etc. And in men, it has been known that the bladder function is changed secondary to an enlarged prostate, causing symptoms of overactive bladder. Now, let’s take a closer look at the main symptoms of overactive bladder, as well as various information on treatment and management.
The main symptoms of overactive bladder
When an overactive bladder occurs, various symptoms such as frequent urination, urinating more than 8 times a day, and urgency, which is a symptom of inability to urinate as a result of a strong and sudden urge to urinate, appear. Symptoms such as urge incontinence, which is a leaky symptom that cannot be tolerated when urinating, and nocturia, which urinates at night while sleeping, may also appear.
Although overactive bladder is not a life-threatening disease in itself, it can cause significant deterioration in quality of life. If you can’t hold your urine and urinate frequently, it can cause sleep disturbances and lack of sleep, which can lead to a decrease in physical condition the next day and a decrease in work ability. Psychologically, it can cause depression and shame, as well as interfere with daily life in various forms such as avoidance of interpersonal relationships. Several studies have found that overactive bladder patients not only have a lower quality of life than diabetic patients, but also have three times the frequency of depression compared to normal people. If the treatment of overactive bladder is delayed due to these various reasons, the symptoms may worsen. is said to be good.
Overactive Bladder Treatment and Management
1. Diagnosis and treatment
For overactive bladder, it is necessary to check the presence and timing of overactive bladder symptoms, whether drugs that cause similar symptoms have been taken, and a history of urology or gynecology. Afterwards, an accurate diagnosis is made by performing various tests, such as a physical examination of the perineum, rectal examination, and anal sphincter condition, as well as a urine test for differential diagnosis from a urinary tract infection. After that, if you are diagnosed with overactive bladder, you will be given various behavioral treatments such as time-lapse urination, exercise for the pelvic muscles, bladder training, biofeedback and electrical stimulation, as well as various lifestyle changes. These behavioral treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms by functionally increasing the size of the bladder by controlling urine. And if the symptoms are not sufficiently improved with behavioral treatment, treatment using anticholinergic drugs, propiberine, and oxybutynin can be performed. In order to suppress the contraction of the bladder and increase its volume, drugs such as capsaicin and botox are injected into the bladder. If symptoms do not improve even after repeated treatment, or if side effects are severe, treatment such as sacral nerve control, which controls the symptoms of overactive bladder by permanently inserting a stimulation generator into the body, can be performed.
2. Refrain from consuming caffeine and carbonated beverages
It is important to reduce excessive intake of caffeine and carbonated drinks to aggravate the symptoms of overactive bladder. In addition to the diuretic effect, caffeine has an excitatory effect on the bladder, so caffeine intake should be limited. is said to be important. In addition, it is important to properly control the amount of water intake, as excessive water intake also puts a strain on the bladder and can be a major cause of further weakening the bladder. In addition, excessive drinking habits and smoking are also one of the causes of worsening symptoms, so it is recommended to limit and reduce efforts.
3. Refrain from eating spicy foods
Excessive consumption of spicy and salty foods and meat can also cause bladder irritation, which can make symptoms worse. In particular, the intake of these foods is closely related to obesity, which affects the occurrence of overactive bladder, so it is recommended to control the intake as much as possible, and it is recommended to increase the intake of vegetables and fruits instead.
In addition, if you are overweight or obese, it puts pressure on the bladder, sending a signal to expel urine even if the bladder is not full, which can worsen symptoms. Therefore, it can be said that maintaining and managing a normal weight is very important in improving symptoms. In addition, various foods such as green tea and chocolate are known to be in the food group that affects the worsening of symptoms, so it is known that it is good to refrain from consuming them.
