If you've taken the self-assessment and are experiencing bladder control problems, it's time to talk with your doctor. The good news is that symptoms of Overactive Bladder (OAB) can be treated. If treatment is your goal, be sure to be frank with your doctor about your symptoms and how OAB is affecting you. After all, wouldn't you like to live a life less interrupted?
If you do have a bladder control problem, your doctor will need to determine the treatment that's best for you. Sometimes, other problems, such as an infection or diabetes, can cause some of the same symptoms as Overactive Bladder. That's another good reason why it's important to get diagnosed by a doctor.
To help you get the right treatment, your doctor may refer you to a urologist or urogynecologist who specializes in bladder problems.
- How often you pass urine, and when
- How much urgency you feel each time
- Whether you're experiencing incontinence
History and Check-up
Your doctor will probably ask you questions about your medical history and any problems you're having with your urinary tract (that is, problems going to the bathroom). Then he or she will perform a general check-up, including your abdomen and pelvis. It's important to tell your doctor if you're feeling any pain at all.
Bladder Control Tests
Your doctor might select one or more of the tests below to identify your problem and determine what treatment would be right for you.
- If you have leaks or wetting accidents while you're doing things, or even laughing, your doctor may try a
—you drink some liquid, relax, and then cough, to see if stress incontinence causes a leak.
is different from Overactive Bladder, but some people have both conditions. ENABLEX does not treat stress incontinence. - Your doctor may ask for a sample of your urine to send out for a test called a . This can help your doctor rule out infections, which are a common cause of bladder control problems.
- Your doctor may also check the amount of urine that remains in your bladder after you pass urine. This can be done with , or simply by feeling your bladder.
Next: Overactive Bladder Glossary
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