Overactive bladder (OAB) is a medical condition resulting in a sudden urge to urinate. Weak pelvic muscles, due to pregnancy and childbirth, nerve damage, or estrogen deficiency, usually cause this medical condition. Patients with neurological diseases like stroke or multiple sclerosis, urinary tract infection, diabetes, enlarged prostate, menopause, and bladder stones have a high risk of developing OAB. Detailed below are the symptoms and treatments for overactive bladder.

Signs of an Overactive Bladder
When it comes to the symptoms and treatments for overactive bladder, remember that being aware of the signs will help with a timely diagnosis.

• Urgency in Urination
  Patients feel an uncontrollable urge to visit the toilet as they are unable to hold the urine. They fail to postpone the toilet visit. It can lead to emotional stress, and many sufferers restrict their social interaction due to OAB.
• Increased Frequency
  OAB patients feel the urge to pass urine more than eight times in a day. Otherwise, it is normal for most people to use the toilet four to eight times in 24 hours.
• Urge Incontinence
  Individuals suffering from OAB may also experience leakage of urine. It mainly happens during coughing and sneezing.
• Nocturia
  Patients wake up at least twice every night to the toilet.

Treatments for an Overactive Bladder
Knowing about the symptoms and treatments for overactive bladder can make life more comfortable and save one from embarrassing situations.

• Pelvic Exercises
  Pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel workouts) are effective in treating OAB. They strengthen the muscles concerned with the bladder’s involuntary contractions and decrease the urination frequency, nocturia, and incontinence. But only regular workout sessions can provide noticeable results.
• Medications
  If an overactive bladder results from menopause, then estrogen therapy can help in managing the symptoms. These medications can be in the form of creams, rings, oral tablets, or suppository. They help in relaxing the overactive bladder. Doctors may also prescribe antispasmodics or anticholinergics group of medications to reduce the spasm of the bladder. However, there are chances of developing side effects like dry mouth and constipation.
• Bladder Injections
  Administration of Botox (Onabotulinumtoxin-A) in small doses also helps in relaxing the bladder muscles. It is a neurotoxic protein sourced from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The action of Botox injection lasts for six to eight months, and after that, patients require repetition of doses. Patients should only undergo this treatment under the supervision of a doctor as there are chances of developing urinary tract infections and urinary retention. Some patients also require guided catheterization to treat urinary retention.
• Surgery
  If exercises and medication fail to achieve desired results, doctors may also recommend surgery for treating OAB. Two types of operations can cure OAB: augmentation cytoplasty and construction of a replacement bladder. In the first case, urologists remove a portion of the bladder tissue and introduce bowel tissue in its place. In the latter, doctors remove the entire bladder and install a neobladder.

So, these were the symptoms and treatments for overactive bladder. If one experiences any warning sign, consult an urologist immediately.