In this second deep dive, we’re talking all about urge incontinence, aka overactive bladder. If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t wait to get to the bathroom, this one’s for you!
What is Urge Incontinence?
Urge incontinence is that sudden, overwhelming need to pee—often followed by a little leak before you make it to the toilet. Unlike stress incontinence, which is triggered by physical activity, urge incontinence happens because of involuntary bladder muscle contractions. It’s more common in older adults, but it can happen at any age.
What Causes Urge Incontinence?
There’s a variety of reasons your bladder might decide to overreact:
Neurological disorders (like Parkinson’s or MS)
Bladder irritants (hello, caffeine and alcohol!)
Urinary tract infections or bladder stones
Diabetes affecting bladder function
Sometimes, it’s just idiopathic—meaning, no clear cause.
How is it Diagnosed?
Doctors will look at your medical history and run some tests, like:
Urinalysis: To rule out infections.
Bladder diaries: Keeping track of your symptoms.
Cystoscopy: Checking for any abnormalities inside your bladder.
Urodynamic studies: To see how your bladder’s working.
Treatments for Urge Incontinence
Luckily, there are lots of ways to manage it:
Bladder training: Go on a bathroom schedule and slowly increase time between visits.
Diet changes: Cut back on bladder irritants like caffeine and spicy foods.
Medications: To relax the bladder muscle.
Bladder Botox®: Injected into the bladder to reduce muscle contractions.
Nerve stimulation therapies: Like PTNS or sacral neuromodulation to tweak those bladder nerve signals.
In more severe cases, surgery may be an option, but it’s rare.
Incontinence Solutions at Access Urology
Struggling with incontinence? We’ve got solutions! Give us a call and let’s tackle this together.
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