When treating OAB symptoms, doctors start with conservative treatments that target patients’ lifestyles before trying medications or advanced therapies. One common behavioral therapy for OAB - especially incontinence - is bladder training. This technique is designed to help patients gradually “re-train” their bladders to hold urine for longer and longer periods of time before emptying the bladder.
Bladder training is one of the most common first-line treatments for reducing OAB symptoms (including leaks), and it is sometimes paired with fluid intake management, a healthy diet, and other behavioral therapies such as pelvic floor exercises.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition affecting approximately 50 million American adults1,2, with a higher incidence in women than men. It is typically characterized by frequent and sudden urges to urinate, even if the bladder is not full. The condition can affect a patient's sleep quality and daily functioning.
When a patient presents with symptoms of abnormal bladder functioning, their doctor or urologist will take them through a diagnostic process to determine the source of their symptoms and begin planning appropriate treatment.
Bladder problems can arise from a range of possible causes, including various medical conditions such as infections or neurological diseases, and a patient’s treatment plan needs to take into account the root cause of their symptoms. Treatment may also vary depending on how a particular patient’s symptoms manifest - for example, whether or not the patient experiences incontinence (bladder leaks), and what type of incontinence.
If you are often unable to urinate or experience frequent urges but can only urinate in small amounts, you may be experiencing urinary retention. Though chronic urinary retention creates discomfort and obstacles for patients, fortunately, it is treatable. Keep reading to learn what urinary retention is, what causes urinary retention, and the treatment options that can bring you relief.
When someone is diagnosed with overactive bladder, or OAB, doctors will begin by recommending conservative treatments that change the patient’s lifestyle. One of the most common first-line treatments is to change a patient’s diet. A reduction in fluid intake is an obvious intervention for OAB, but there are also foods that can either promote better bladder function or worsen OAB symptoms by increasing urges or irritating the bladder.
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