Overactive Bladder And Urgency.
WHAT IS AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER?
An overactive bladder is a collection of urinary symptoms, and it is not a disease. Overactive bladder affects 12-17% of the population and can present more often in post childbirth mothers and the elderly.
An overactive bladder means that your bladder is contracting before the bladder is full. You might find that you are needing to urinate more frequently and often find it difficult to hold on until you are able to pass urine.
At times, you might leak before you are able to make it to the bathroom. experience urgency to empty your bladder and use the bathroom more than 7-10 times a day.
WHAT CAUSES AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER?
Overactive bladder can be caused by a few issues such as:
Diabetes
Stroke
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol
Stress
History of poor bladder function
Pelvic organ prolapse
Vaginal birth
Catheter use
Low oestrogen levels
Enlarged prostate
WHAT IS NORMAL BLADDER FUNCTION?
Normal bladder function means emptying your bladder 4-7 times a day
It’s normal to empty your bladder before you go to bed and at least once overnight
It’s also very normal to empty your bladder as soon as you wake in the morning.
A healthy bladder can hold around 300-400mls (around one and half to two cups) during the day. You may experience your bladder being able to hold slightly more at night.
This pattern can change as you age. Older people make more urine at night and they often need to pass more urine at night rather than during the day.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY BLADDER, OR CAN I RETRAIN MY BLADDER?
Keep a bladder diary if you think you might have issues to keep an idea on urgency and frequency.
See your women’s health physiotherapist for a pelvic floor assessment and to work out a bladder training program tailored to your personal requirements.
Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor. Your women’s health physiotherapist can show you a variety of exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor.
Maintaining proper hydration. Many people avoid drinking enough fluids when suffering from over active bladder. It’s important to maintain hydration.
Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol or soft drink intake
Eat a healthy fibre rich and balanced diet to promote healthy bowel habits.
To book a women's health or bladder consultation, book online under Women's Health or give us a call on (02) 4353 6192 to book with Mrs Rachel Hey. You can also send us an email requesting a bladder diary on admin@coreelementsphysio.com.au We have another great article on bladder health, check it out!