Have you been coping with sudden, frequent urges to urinate, bladder leaks or accidents? Well, rather than just manage your leaks and accidents you can help treat them.
Myths versus Facts on Overactive Bladder
Fortunately, Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a real, treatable, medical condition.
| Myth: | Very few people suffer from Overactive Bladder. |
| Fact: | OAB is a problem for over 34 million Americans—that's about 1 in every 6 adults. Both men and women are affected, as are people of different ethnicities. |
| Myth: | As I age, OAB is just something I need to accept. |
| Fact: | While it's true that Overactive Bladder gets more common as people get older, it's not just a natural part of aging. OAB can happen at any age and can be treated. So if you experience Overactive Bladder symptoms, you don't need to accept it. Treatment is available, so talk to your doctor. |
| Myth: | I should be able to control my bladder symptoms. |
| Fact: | OAB is a condition caused by frequent, involuntary contractions of the muscle that pushes down on the bladder. It is not your fault, and it can be treated, with a doctor's help. |
| Myth: | Childbirth causes Overactive Bladder symptoms. |
| Fact: | Childbirth does not cause OAB, but it can be a factor in Some women, in fact, have both Overactive Bladder and stress incontinence. ENABLEX is not indicated for stress incontinence. |
| Myth: | OAB is not bothersome enough to discuss with my doctor. |
| Fact: | Overactive Bladder may not seem as bothersome as other conditions, but you may find that it is more annoying or embarrassing. Bringing up OAB may seem difficult, but speaking openly about it can help your doctor find a treatment that works for you. |
| Myth: | I can control OAB by drinking less fluid. |
| Fact: | While drinking too much fluid can make the symptoms seem worse, drinking less may not stop you from having the same number of strong, sudden urges, trips to the bathroom or bladder leaks. |
| Myth: | I can control OAB by doing |
| Fact: | Kegel exercises may be included in treatment for stress incontinence. But Overactive Bladder has less to do with bladder muscles than with the signals that control them. Stress incontinence and Overactive Bladder are separate conditions, but a person can have both. Your doctor can help you determine what treatment is best for you. ENABLEX is not indicated for stress incontinence. |
How Overactive Bladder Affects the Body
Bladder control is a complex process in the body, but the idea is simple. Urine is stored in the bladder. As urine builds up, muscles (called sphincters) hold your bladder closed.
As the bladder fills up, you start to feel urgency (the need to urinate). When you're ready to urinate, your brain tells these muscles to let go, and signals another muscle (called a detrusor) to squeeze out the urine.
Doctors don't completely understand what causes Overactive Bladder (OAB). It seems that the muscles get the signal to squeeze too often, or at the wrong times for urination. But your doctor knows that treatment is available and can help.
When you meet with your doctor to talk about OAB, it's important to be very specific and describe your symptoms in detail so he or she can find the right treatment for you.
Watch this short video about OAB to see how it affects urination.
Next: Learn the Signs and Symptoms of Overactive Bladder
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