Do you find yourself running to the bathroom to urinate so frequently that it’s interfering with your quality of life? You could be suffering from overactive bladder, also called OAB, a chronic medical condition that causes a sudden and unstoppable urge to urinate. If this sounds like you, rest assured you’re not alone — overactive bladder affects an estimated 33 million people in the United States alone. Overactive bladder can impact all aspects of your life, from work and travel to sleep and sexual function.
If you’re ready to free yourself from your overactive bladder symptoms, the experts at Aguirre Specialty Care are here to help answer any of your questions and determine the best course of treatment for you.
In the meantime, let’s talk more about OAB and how we can offer relief:
What is an overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder is a chronic condition in which the bladder muscle contracts erratically, leading to frequent urination or an intense urge to urinate suddenly, with or without urine leakage. Depending on whether you leak urine or not, your overactive bladder can be classified as either “wet” or “dry.”
What are the symptoms of overactive bladder?
Urinary urgency, or a sudden, strong urge to urinate, is the most common sign of an overactive bladder. This uncontrollable feeling of needing to urinate can occur with or without leakage. When there is urine leakage, it may be in large amounts and occur before you can get to a bathroom. You may experience this urge in specific situations like when you hear running water. Other symptoms of OAB include:
• Excessive urination: Urinating more than eight times per day.
• Nocturia: Being awakened by the urge to urinate more than one time per night.
What causes an overactive bladder?
It is believed that malfunctioning bladder nerves are what cause involuntary bladder muscle contractions that occur as the bladder fills. Your risk of developing overactive bladder increases with age, obesity, pelvic surgery and the presence of neurological conditions.
How do I know if I have an overactive bladder?
The first step is a thorough diagnosis. Aguirre Specialty Care’s expert team has successfully diagnosed and treated thousands of cases of overactive bladder with fellowship-trained urogynecologist and preeminent pelvic surgeon Dr. Oscar A. Aguirre at the helm. Since urinary tract infections, bladder stones and bladder tumors can all be associated with overactive bladder symptoms, it is crucial to come in for a physical exam and further diagnostic testing, if required.
How can ASC treat my overactive bladder symptoms?
We offer both non-surgical and surgical treatment options for overactive bladder. Non-surgical treatment options include:
• Percutaneous Tibial Neuromodulation (PTNS): A simple treatment that uses a slim needle to stimulate the tibial nerve in the ankle. Once stimulated, the tibial nerve sends impulses to the spine to block signals from the bladder and prevent bladder spasms.
• Kegel exercises
• Pelvic floor therapy
• Low-dose vaginal estrogen
• Overactive bladder medications
Surgical treatment options include:
• Sacral Neuromodulation / Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Implantable devices that target the nerves controlling your bladder, helping it to function normally again. Our FDA-approved advanced bladder control therapies include:
o InterStim® Therapy
o Axonics® System
How can I get started with treatment for overactive bladder at ASC?
Don’t put off finding relief from your OAB any longer! Call 303.322.0500 or request a consultation online today to get started.
