Overactive Bladder: What Are My Treatment Options?

Don’t endure bladder problems; get help. Dr. John Bertini and Dr. James Harris at Gulf Coast Urology in Houston and Nassau Bay, Texas, are experts in treating urinary conditions, including overactive bladder (OAB).

On average, healthy adults empty their bladder 6-7 times within a 24-hour period. If you urinate more frequently or are seized by a sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate, you may have overactive bladder, a condition that affects Overactive bladder affects 30% of men and 40% of women in the United States.

Other signs of OAB are:

• Getting up two or more times at night
• Leaking urine involuntarily
• Having bladder needs that impact your life

The frequent urge to urinate develops due to communication problems between your bladder and brain.

When the bladder functions properly, nerves in your bladder send a message to your brain that it’s full. This signals that it’s time to urinate, so you can head towards the bathroom. After you’ve emptied your bladder, your brain messages your bladder muscles to push urine from your body.

When you have an overactive bladder, the nerves in your bladder initiate this communication cycle before your bladder is full. Your brain can also trigger your bladder muscles to squeeze, even when you don’t have to empty your bladder.

These crossed messages between your bladder and brain can develop for various reasons, from taking certain medications to hormone changes or even neurological problems.

Treating overactive bladder

The good news is that there are several effective treatments for restoring bladder control.

At Gulf Coast Urology, your doctor begins by performing a comprehensive physical exam and discussing your symptoms. From there they create a treatment plan specifically for you. It may include one or more of the following:

Lifestyle changes

Making certain everyday changes can significantly help manage OAB symptoms. Changes may include the following:

• Avoiding foods and drinks that may irritate your bladder
• Keeping a bladder diary to better understand your symptoms and potential triggers
• Following a daily bathroom schedule to regain bladder control

Medications

A number of prescription medications are used to treat OAB symptoms by relaxing the bladder muscles. These treatments come in oral forms, gels, and transdermal patches. Sometimes a combination is most effective.

Intravesical Botox injections

Botox®, yes the same substance used to banish crow’s feet, can provide relief from OAB symptoms. During this treatment, your doctor injects small amounts of Botox into your bladder muscles to promote relaxation. One treatment can provide relief for up to six months, and it can be repeated as necessary.

Sacral neuromodulation

If medications and lifestyle changes are unsuccessful in resolving symptoms, neuromodulation therapy may be recommended. This treatment entails the implantation of a small device that improves communication signals between your bladder and brain, so your bladder can function properly again. There are several types of neuromodulation therapies. For long-term relief, our doctors often recommend implantable options, such as InterStim™.

Don’t endure overactive bladder symptoms, get relief from the doctors at Gulf Coast Urology. Book an appointment online or over the phone with Gulf Coast Urology today.