How to Treat an Overactive Bladder

If you find yourself forever going to the bathroom you may have a condition known as an overactive bladder. Caused by abnormal contractions of the bladder muscle, an overactive bladder is a treatable condition. Overcome your embarrassment and follow these steps to seek treatment from your family doctor or an urologist.

Instructions

1. Suspect an overactive bladder if you experience a frequent urge to urinate, an urgent need to urinate at irregular times and involuntary leaking or voiding of your bladder. Keep a diary of your urination problems and contact your family doctor.

2. Try behavior modification to control an overactive bladder. Reduce your fluid intake and urinate at set times during the day. Visit The Family Practice Recertification website for more details on behavioral therapies.

3. Try exercises such as Kegels designed to strengthen your pelvic muscles. Find strategies that utilize a combination of pelvic exercises and mental relaxation techniques to delay urination until scheduled bathroom visits.

4. Ask for a referral to a urologist, a medical doctor who specializes in overactive bladder and other urological conditions. Explore medication prescribed to control bladder constrictions and improve urge incontinence. Neuromodulation, electrical stimulation of the pelvic region, is an option for more severe cases. Doctors recommend surgery to enlarge the bladder as a last resort for an overactive bladder.

5. Seek treatment for an overactive bladder. Find more information from the American Urological Association at their website.

Resources

• Visit the Family Practice Recertification website for more info.
• Visit Urology Health for more info.