Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by frequent and sudden urges to urinate, often resulting in involuntary leakage. Symptoms include a strong, sudden need to urinate that may be difficult to control, frequent urination (typically more than eight times in 24 hours), waking up more than once during the night to urinate (nocturia), and sometimes urinary incontinence. OAB can significantly disrupt daily life for both men and women, causing embarrassment and anxiety, and negatively affecting social interactions and work performance. The condition can be caused by various factors, including nerve damage, bladder abnormalities, or certain medications. Treatment options range from lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises to medications, and in severe cases, surgery may be considered.
The primary symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) is an uncontrollable urge to urinate, which can lead to urine leakage (loss of bladder control).
Some of the major symptoms associated with OAB include:
- Urgency: A sudden, intense need to urinate that feels impossible to delay.
- Frequency: Needing to urinate more often than usual.
- Nocturia: Waking up at night to urinate.
- Urge incontinence: Leaking urine when experiencing a strong urge to urinate and unable to hold it in.
- Urinary urgency incontinence: Leaking urine due to an inability to control the sudden urge to urinate.
- Hesitancy: Difficulty starting to urinate even when feeling the urge.
- Intermittency: Starting and stopping urination unexpectedly.
- Weak urine stream: Urine flow that lacks force.
- Straining: Having to push hard to begin urinating.
- Incomplete emptying: Feeling as though the bladder hasn't been fully emptied after urinating.
