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Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition that causes a sudden urge to urinate even when the bladder is not full. For patients who suffer from OAB, the detrusor muscle that surrounds the bladder contracts more often than normal, which results in the urge to urinate (called urgency). Normally, the detrusor muscle contracts and relaxes in response to the volume of urine in the bladder and the initiation of urination. People with OAB often experience urgency at inconvenient and unpredictable times and sometimes lose control before reaching the bathroom. Thus, overactive bladder interferes with work, daily routine, intimacy and sexual function; causes embarrassment; and can diminish self-esteem and quality of life. The three main symptoms of OAB are frequency (urinate >8 times in 24 hours), urgency (sudden urge to urinate) and incontinence (involuntary loss of urine after a strong urge to urinate). In 2004, a total of 3,249 adults aged 35 years and older, were interviewed for prevalence of OAB in Canada. Of this cohort, 603 (18.1%) were found to have symptoms of OAB. The prevalence of OAB was found to be lower in men (14.8%) than in women (21.2%). Most respondents who indicated they had OAB did not have associated urinary incontinence (so-called "dry" OAB). The prevalence of this sub-type was 13.6% (11.7% in men and 15.6% in women). The prevalence of "Wet" OAB was estimated to be 2.3% (2.0% in men and 2.6% in women). The prevalence of OAB increased with increasing age; wet OAB in particular, was markedly higher in both men and women over the age of 75 years. However, other research has shown that the symptoms of OAB are also prevalent in a significant percentage of younger individuals as well. A Canadian study published in 2001 reported that 17% of high-school-aged girls reported symptoms of urgency incontinence and 15% reported symptoms of stress incontinence. Treatment options include biofeedback, electrical stimulation, urethral devices, medication and surgery. If you suffer from overactive bladder, please contact your healthcare professional to assess which form of treatment is best for you. Healthcare Professionals: Please click here to visit our website on overactive bladder. You will be prompted to register or login. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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