Overactive bladder cause a sudden urge to urinate. The call is so strong even if there is a minimal amount of urine left in the bladder that you are unable to hold it. Urine leakage caused as a result is termed as urine incontinence.

What Is Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is a type of urge incontinence. Not every overactive bladder leads to leakage of urine. Even if there is no incontinence, this condition makes your life tough as there is a need to evacuate every single drop from your bladder and so you have to run to the bathroom every time. If you are unable to reach bathroom at the time and drop is urine wets your cloth it is embarrassing. This condition is very common in the elderly. Both males and females can suffer from it however; it is more common in females.

Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder can also lead to other issues such as urinary tract infection, depression and sleeping issues.

What Causes Overactive Bladder

The primary cause behind overactive bladder is overactive muscle that pushes every single drop of urine out. Causes that may lead to the overactive bladder are stress, bladder infection and other brain and nervous disorders such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease. Certain medicines may also lead to this condition.

Causes Overactive Bladder

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder

The primary symptom of an overactive bladder is an urgent urge to pass urine. The frequency to urinate increases. You may wake up more than 2-3 times at night to pass urine. There is an urge to urinate even after you have just peed. In some cases, when you have an urge to urinate urine leaks.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder

The patient suffering from the overactive bladder may suffer from all or some of the above symptoms.

How Is Overactive Bladder Diagnosed

To diagnose overactive bladder, your doctor enquires how often you urinate and if urine leaks out. You will be asked to maintain a bladder diary to note this for a few days. In addition, your doctor will ask for specific tests such as a rectal exam, pelvic exam, urine test and a blood test. Tests to check out diabetes or prostate disease may also be done.

What Are The Complications Of an Overactive Bladder

Complications of an overactive bladder include depression, disruptive quality life, dehydration, disturbed sleep, diminished sexual activity, fatigue, urinary tract infection, reduced social interaction, bladder stones, fractures and falls in elderly and skin infection and irritation.

What Is Management of Overactive Bladder

The first step is bladder restraining, that is following a urinating schedule. Next is to strengthen your bladder muscles through Kegel exercises. Kegel exercise will, to some extent improve the bladder issues. You also require making changes in your diet and lifestyle such as cutting back coffee, sodas and tea. You need to limit alcohol intake. Better, quit alcohol. Eat foods that are rich in fibre. Avoid spicy and junk food. Cranberry and citrus fruit juices help as they wash off the infection so include them in your diet. Cut down fluid during the night so that you will not have to get up repeatedly at night to urinate. You can also use a portable toilet and keep it nearby your bed. Also, it is suggested to get back to a healthy weight to manage an overactive bladder.

Management of Overactive Bladder

Your doctor will suggest you medications to calm the muscles of the bladder and medications that help the bladder to store more quantity of urine. However, these medicines have their part of side effects, so take as prescribed by your doctor.

In some cases, intermitted catheterisation is also suggested which can be done at home. This process involves the insertion of a thin tube in urethra every time there is an urge to urinate. It is an invasive procedure thus talk about it to your doctor whether it is a right option for you or not.

Reference Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968994/
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/need-relief-overactive-bladder-symptoms

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A urinary tract infection is defined as an infection of the urinary tract. Urinary tract removes the waste and excess water from our body.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections may affect different parts of the urinary tract. Infection of the bladder is known as cystitis whereas urethra infection is called as urethritis. If the kidneys are infected the condition is known Pyelonephritis. The Infection of the ureter is quite rare.

Commonly UTI Involves the organs of lower urinary tract. It is a second most common infection that occurs in the body and is more common in females as compared to men.

lower urinary tract

More than 50 percent of women suffers from a UTI at some point in their life and about 30 percent of women suffers from recurrent urinary tract infection. UTI may be a cause of infertility and in pregnant women, it increases the risk of premature delivery and stillbirth.

Thus, it is very important to have knowledge of UTI to prevent and treat it before the condition complicates.

What are the Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

The most important cause of UTI in women is poor knowledge of cleaning their anus. Urethra and anus are located closely. The urethra of a woman known as vagina id short and so E.Coli (Common causative agent of UTI) and other intestinal bacteria can easily to escape to the urethra through the anus. From vagina, they reach the bladder and cause infection. In untreated it results in the kidney infection. Sex also helps bacteria to the urinary tract.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Although common in female UTI also may occur in men, and in children who have a problem with wiping their anus. Individuals more at risk are:

• An individual suffering from diabetes
• Poor hygiene
• Having a urinary catheter
• Bowel issues
• Individuals with Kidney stones
• Using contraceptives such as diaphragms.
• Pregnancy and menopause (Due to the decrease level of estrogen)
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Use of tampons and spermicides.
• Individuals on antibiotics
• Bedridden individuals and those with spinal cord injury

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

• Urinary tract infection symptoms vary according to gender, age and the part of urinary tract involved.
• Common symptoms are a pain in the abdomen and back, frequent urging to pass urine, Burning while urination, nausea, vomiting, fever and muscle ache. There may be the strong smell of urine. Urine may be cloudy or bloody.
• If kidney gets involved, there may be an infection, they could upper back and side pain, fever with chills and fatigue.
• If bladders get involved, there is low fever, along with abdominal cramp and pain in the lower back.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

How is Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed

• First of all, your health care provider may ask you questions related to the symptoms.
• Next step is to collect the urine sample to assess the presence of RBC, WBC, and bacteria. To collect the urine sample first wash your genital area and then collecting a mid-flow. Morning first urine is more preferred.
• In the case of recurrent infections, the further diagnostic test is done such as urine culture to rule out any anatomical or functional issues.
• Other imaging tests include ultrasound, MRI scans, CT scans, and X-rays. Cystoscopy may also be done in some cases

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed

What is the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

As UTI is caused due to bacteria your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotic. Usually, a UTI is cured in 2 to 3 days. To prevent recurrence complete full course of antibiotics even if symptoms disappear. In the case of severe infection, 7 to 14 days of antibiotic course is prescribed. Antipyretic and painkillers may be given in the case of fever, colic and back ache.

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

Drink lots of water and have proper rest.

In severe cases, the patient may be admitted to the hospital.

What are the Home Remedies to Treat Urinary Tract Infection

1.Baking Soda- It is very effective in neutralizing the acidity. Just take a teaspoon of baking soda and add it to a glass of water. Drink it two times a day fro fast recovery.

Baking Soda

2. Cranberry Juice- they contain proanthocyanidins that act as mild antibiotic and treats UTI. Drink a glass of cranberry juice daily. You may also drink it 2 to 3 times a day.

Cranberry Juice

3.Apple Cider Vinegar- they are rich in minerals that restrict the growth of bacteria. Mix 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a half teaspoon honey to 1 glass of water. Drink it two times a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar

4.Indian Gooseberry- Being rich in Vitamin C it inhibits the growth of bacteria. Drink its juice 2 times a day to relieve your symptoms.

Indian Gooseberry

5.Blueberry juice- It has bacteria-inhibiting properties. Drink it daily to treat UTI.

Blueberry juice

How is Urinary Tract Infection Prevented

First, of all drink plenty of water so that harmful bacteria is flushed out of your body. Avoid using public toilets as much as you can and keep your toilet clean Maintain hygiene of intimate areas. Avoid using spermicidal contraceptives. After sex empty your bladder and clean your intimate area and avoid tampons.

Urinary Tract Infection Prevented

And the most important wipe your anus from forward to back to prevent bacteria access to the vagina.

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