Hyperactive Bladder
In the syndrome of a hyperactive bladder, its functions are disrupted, occasionally causing an uncontrollable urge to urinate. A urge is often impossible to suppress independently. This can be a very serious problem, sometimes requiring surgical intervention. Overall, bladder hyperactivity is curable. Although significant changes can be made to the life of the patient.
Symptoms of bladder hyperactivity
- Sudden strong urge to urinate.
- In anamnesis, urinary incontinence, unintentional loss of urine immediately after urge.
- Rapid urination( more than 8 times per day).
- Wake up at night more than twice to urinate.
Although the patient most often manages to get on time to the toilet if he wants to urinate, the hyperactivity of the bladder causes great inconvenience. A person feels constant urge to urinate, suffers from a nighttime urination, which can disrupt his social adaptation.
Causes and contributing factors
Filling and emptying the bladder is the result of a complex interaction of the kidneys, muscles and nervous system. The slightest violation of the function of at least one of the links contributes to the onset of acute hyperactivity of the bladder. Sometimes doctors can not determine exactly the cause of the disease. Causes can be hidden in neurological pathologies, in suffered strokes, multiple sclerosis.
There are the most likely factors contributing to the development of bubble hyperactivity. They include:
- a large amount of urine due to consumption of large volumes of fluid, kidney disease or diabetes;
- infections of the urinary tract, causing symptoms similar to those of bladder hyperactivity;
- is an inflammation in the bladder;
- tumors, stones in the bladder;
- factors capable of disturbing the outflow of urine - enlarged prostate gland, constipation, previous operations;
- excessive consumption of alcohol and coffee;
- medications that cause an increase in urine output.
Complications of bladder hyperactivity
Incontinence greatly changes the patient's lifestyle. People with severe symptoms of a hyperactive bladder are extremely susceptible to depression and emotional distress. They, in turn, can cause stress urinary incontinence. There is a vicious circle: incontinence - stress - incontinence.
Another complication is incontinence from the slightest stress. There is a loss of urine at any physical load, at which the pressure in the bladder rises sharply. Urination can occur even when coughing or during laughter.
Treatment of
One of the stages of treatment is the training of the bladder. Doctors often recommend training to delay urination, even if you strongly want to urinate. Begin with small episodes of delay - for 10-15 minutes, gradually bringing this time to 2-3 hours.
There are special exercises for the development of the pelvic floor muscles. They increase the strength of the sphincter of the bladder, important for urination. Muscles can be considered strong enough if they can suppress unintentional contractions of the bladder. The physiotherapist will help you learn how to properly do these exercises.
Intermittent catheterization can also help. With its help, you can empty the bladder, to achieve its full emptying. This procedure is very convenient and safe. It, contrary to common myths, does not make the bladder weaker. But only the doctor can decide whether there is a need for this procedure.
The use of absorbent pads can save the situation. They will always protect clothing from getting wet, giving confidence to the patient. Confidence, in turn, will gradually replace the incontinence itself.
Normalization of body weight is also important in treatment. If the weight of the patient exceeds the norm, losing weight will help ease the symptoms of the disease. Excess body weight gives rise to pressure in the bladder. There is also a high risk of urinary incontinence from stress.
If all treatment methods do not work, surgery is performed. The patient after surgery, most often, is forced to live with a catheter, through which the outflow of urine occurs. The operation is prescribed by doctors in the most extreme case, although there will not be any problems with incontinence after it.
