Behavioral Techniques

Some people can reduce their symptoms of overactive bladder with lifestyle changes, fluid and diet modification, bladder retraining, pelvic floor exercises, or other kinds of physical therapy.

Fluid and Diet Modification

Your doctor may ask you to reduce your intake of fruit juices, colas, coffee, and other foods and beverages that can irritate the bladder and aggravate urinary problems. Alcohol, including beer and wine, can also exacerbate symptoms.

Bladder Retraining

You can try bladder retraining to change the way you use the bathroom. Instead of going whenever you feel the urge, you urinate at scheduled times during the day. You will gradually learn to control the urge to go by waiting – for a few minutes at first, then increasing the length of time between bathroom visits until you are urinating every two to four hours.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Also known as Kegel exercises, pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen your muscles responsible for urinary control. You tighten, hold and then relax the muscles that you use to start and stop the flow of urination. Your doctor may recommend this treatment especially if you experience stress or urge incontinence.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed by your doctor to help control the symptoms of your bladder control problem. For stress incontinence, there are drugs that may help you avoid uncontrolled leakage. Drugs for urge incontinence allow the bladder to hold more urine. If you have urinary retention problems, your doctor may prescribe drugs that help empty the bladder. The various types of medications used for bladder control problems focus on the muscles associated with bladder function.

Neurostimulation

Neurostimulation works with the sacral nerves, located near the tailbone. The sacral nerves control the bladder and muscles related to urinary function. It is believed that one possible cause of overactive bladder is miscommunication between the brain and the sacral nerves; when the brain and sacral nerves don’t communicate correctly, the nerves will not tell the bladder to function correctly. The theory is that mild stimulation of the sacral nerves reduces the signals to the nervous system which may be causing the bladder control problems. One type of neurostimulation uses a device that is placed under the skin of your upper buttock during an outpatient procedure. The device stimulates the sacral nerves with mild electrical pulses.

Other Surgeries

When conservative treatments have failed, doctors may suggest other surgical therapies. Depending on the nature of your bladder control problems, your surgical options could range from simple, outpatient procedures to invasive surgery requiring hospitalization. If your bladder is extremely small, your doctor may explore a surgery to enlarge your bladder. If you experience stress incontinence, your doctor may decide to surgically place a sling around part of your bladder.

 

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.