The exact causes of overactive bladder (OAB) are unclear. However, risk factors for OAB include having an enlarged prostate, obesity, older age, smoking, and more.
The bladder is an organ that facilitates the storage and removal of waste in the body. It excretes the liquid waste that the kidneys filter from the blood.
OAB is a condition in which a person feels a frequent and urgent need to urinate. Additionally, OAB may cause a person to wake up several times during the night to urinate. This is called nocturia. They may also experience involuntary loss of urine when they have the urge to urinate. Doctors may refer to this as urge incontinence.
Read on to learn more about the possible causes of OAB, risk factors, and possible prevention methods.
A review from 2018 notes that scientists
The bladder contains different muscles that help it to fill with and then expel urine. One of these muscles is called the detrusor muscle. This muscle is found within the walls of the bladder.
When relaxed, the detrusor muscle allows the bladder to fill with urine. It can also contract during urination to help squeeze urine through the urethra. The urethra is a tube attached to the bladder that allows urine to exit the body.
Researchers have various theories about what may cause OAB. A review from 2021 notes that these theories generally relate to detrusor overactivity, which occurs when the detrusor muscle contracts involuntarily while the bladder is filling. These contractions may be spontaneous or in reaction to something.
If a person has detrusor overactivity, their bladder may signal that it needs to be emptied when it is not full.
However, researchers note that detrusor overactivity has only been found in around 50% of people with OAB. They believe that there may be other causes of OAB, such as:
- a problem with the detrusor muscle
- an issue with the tissues that line the bladder
- a problem with the urethra, which is the tube where urine travels from the bladder out of the body
- an issue with the brain or brainstem, possibly due to white matter deterioration caused by aging
Other possible causes of OAB include nerve problems and drinking too much caffeine.
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If a person notices signs of OAB, they should speak with their doctor. Certain conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTI) may make a person feel like they need to urinate more frequently.
A review from 2021 notes that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing OAB. These include:
- older age
- hormonal changes after menopause
- having obesity
- having a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression
- having a functional gastrointestinal disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- having autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction
- having African American or Hispanic heritage
- having sleep apnea
- smoking
- having an issue with the bacteria that live in the urinary tract
- increased coffee intake
- consuming artificial sweeteners
- drinking alcohol
- eating certain spices
- drinking sour drinks
A person may help to prevent OAB by making certain lifestyle choices.
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- quitting smoking, if applicable
- losing weight, if applicable
- exercising regularly
- reducing fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water per day
- avoiding drinking a lot of fluid before going to sleep
- avoiding alcohol, spices, sour drinks, and coffee
- using the bathroom as soon as the urge to urinate arises and avoiding holding in urine
- performing Kegel exercises, which help to strengthen the pelvic floor
- eating a balanced diet
OAB is a condition that causes a person to feel they need to urinate urgently and frequently. The exact causes of OAB are currently not well understood but researchers theorize the condition may be related to detrusor muscle overactivity.
There are various risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing OAB. These include older age, certain health conditions, and lifestyle habits such as smoking.
There are certain lifestyle changes a person can make that may reduce their chances of developing OAB. These include losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol, coffee, and sour drinks.
If a person notices any signs of OAB, they should speak with their doctor. A healthcare professional can determine whether a person has OAB or if their symptoms are related to another condition.