Dear Ellen,
Please help! I go to the bathroom all the time. What do I do about an overactive bladder. Even if I drink nothing I can go 5 or 6 times. At night it’s even worse, haven’t slept through in years. Most of the time I get up at least 3-4 times.
I don’t know what to do for it because I don’t really know what’s wrong. I don’t leak or have accidents and I always go a normal amount, I just don’t understand why I can’t hold any liquids.
I hope you can help me!
Dana
Dear Dana,
I am so sorry that you are dealing with this.
I would suggest talking to your healthcare professional about a referral for a consult by a Urologist.
According to Mayo Clinic, one in 3 adults over the age of 40 report having an OAB (over active bladder). They list the following symptoms:
- Feel a sudden urge to urinate that’s difficult to control
- Experience urge incontinence — the involuntary loss of urine immediately following an urgent need to urinate
- Urinate frequently, usually eight or more times in 24 hours
- Awaken two or more times in the night to urinate
Several conditions may contribute to signs and symptoms of overactive bladder, including:
- Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, strokes and multiple sclerosis
- High urine production as might occur with high fluid intake, poor kidney function or diabetes
- Medications that cause a rapid increase in urine production or require that you take them with lots of fluids
- Acute urinary tract infections that can cause symptoms similar to an overactive bladder
- Abnormalities in the bladder, such as tumors or bladder stones
- Factors that obstruct bladder outflow — enlarged prostate, constipation or previous operations to treat other forms of incontinence
- Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol
This is why it is very important to determine the cause of your specific issues so that your specialist can find a treatment plan for you.
Good Luck. Please keep me posted!
Hugs,
Ellen
