An overactive bladder is a condition in which an individual feels the urge to urinate at short intervals. The urge happens suddenly and frequently, making it very difficult for one to control it. Apart from feeling the need to urinate several times a day, the person may also suffer from an unplanned discharge of urine while sleeping. Here, we cover the symptoms and treatments for overactive bladder as well as the complications associated with this condition.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of an overactive bladder are

• A sudden urge to urinate frequently
• Unintentional or unplanned loss of urine
• Urinating multiple more than 8 times a day
• Losing out on sleep because of feeling the urge to urinate several times in the night

Treatment options

• Medications
  Certain medications can help provide relief to the signs of overactive bladder and provide help in decreasing the episode of urge incontinence. These include Myrbetriq, Toviaz, Enablex, Vesicare, Trospium, and Detrol. Apart from these, the doctor may also recommend Oxybutynin. It can be used in the form of a gel (Gelnique), like a skin patch (Oxytrol), and consumed as a pill (Ditropan XL.

• Behavioral Therapies
  These therapies are the most common way to treat an overactive bladder. They do not have any harmful side-effects and are quite effective. Some of the important behavioral therapies include planned trips to the toilet, weight loss, training the bladder, biofeedback, wearing absorbent pads, and pelvic floor muscle exercises.

• Surgery
  This is a recommended treatment option only if you are suffering from severe symptoms and are unable to recover with other treatment measures. The objective behind the surgery is to enhance the capability of the bladder to hoard urine and decrease its pressure. However, you must note that a surgery will not provide any relief to the bladder pain. The first surgical option recommended by the doctor is to increase the capacity of the bladder. As a last option, the doctor may suggest removing the bladder and constructing a neobladder, which is a replacement bladder surgically.

• Injections
  Botox is a protein from the bacteria that leads to botulism illness. This protein relieves the muscles in a manner wherein small doses are injected in the bladder tissues directly. According to studies, this treatment option is helpful when it comes to urge incontinence of a severe form. The effects of these injections for the bladder last for approximately six months after which injections are again required.

The other treatment options for overactive bladder include Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and nerve stimulation.

Complications
A person suffering from overactive bladder goes through a lot of inconvenience. It acts as a hindrance to him doing his day-to-day work. Some of the common complications a person suffers from in this condition are stress or depression, anxiety, disruption in the regular sleep pattern, and problems with sexuality.

Now that you know about the symptoms and treatments of overactive bladder as well as its complications, take proactive measures if you notice any prominent signs.