Overactive Bladder Specialist

What’s an overactive bladder?

An overactive bladder causes a sudden urge to urinate and sometimes an involuntary loss of urine. An overactive bladder may also cause a person to urinate more during the day and night than normal.

An overactive bladder can have a negative impact on your quality of life, causing anxiety, depression, and loss of sleep.

What causes an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder occurs when muscles in the bladder contract involuntarily, causing the urge to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. Several conditions can contribute to these involuntary contractions, including:

• Urinary tract infection
• Bladder stones or growths
• Obesity
• Enlarged prostate
• Diabetes
• Neurological disorders

The amount of fluids you drink, particularly caffeine and alcohol, may also influence the severity of the condition.

When should I see a urologist for an overactive bladder?

The following situations indicate it’s time to discuss your bladder issues with Dr. Novogrodsky at Urocare Services:

• You urinate more than eight times a day
• You wake to urinate more than two times a night
• You avoid social situations and normal activities due to your issue
• You experience a sudden onset or worsening of an overactive bladder

If you feel like you’ve lost control of your bladder function, Dr. Novogrodsky can help you regain control and return to your normal activities.

What are the treatments for an overactive bladder?

Normal treatment progression often follows a path from behavior modification to medication to more progressive therapies.

Behavior modification

Many men and women find effective relief from behavioral strategies, such as timing when they take fluid and empty their bladders to performing pelvic floor exercises. You may also choose to wear absorbent garments for extra security.

Medication

Many medications are available to help relax the bladder contractions that cause an overactive bladder. Some of these drugs cause side effects like dry eyes and dry mouth, but Dr. Novogrodsky can help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages and manage the effects.

Progressive therapies

Dr. Novogrodsky can try therapies like Botox® injections to relax overactive bladder muscles before resorting to surgery. In rare cases, you may need surgery to increase bladder capacity or remove the bladder.

If your overactive bladder interferes with your daily activities, contact Urocare Services or book an appointment online today.