Overactive Bladder

Incontinence is a medical condition resulting in the uncontrollable leakage of urine or an overactive bladder. This leakage can happen because an individual has a strong urge to urinate and cannot hold it. Individuals who suffer from this condition have found that an overactive bladder can occur both day and night. This condition is also known as urinary incontinence and can even occur immediately after urination. It is often a surprise and leads to embarrassment.

Needless to say, when a person experiences urinary incontinence, it is not because his or her bladder is too full. Doctors often find that only a small amount of urine in the bladder can result in an urge to urinate. Men and women both experience incontinence, so it is not a gender specific condition.

Researchers have not been able to pinpoint an exact reason for urinary incontinence or the causes of overactive bladder. It could be as simple as the rate of fluid intake or possibly indicative of a more serious medical issue. In some cases, a weakening of the muscles that contract within the bladder when it is filled with urine may be the primary cause. Or it may be due, in part, to a person aging.

Although incontinence is generally mild and very treatable, as with a urinary tract infection, it is important to have an exam to rule out other possible conditions. For example, incontinence is one of the first signs of a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. Determining the cause is instrumental in discovering which overactive bladder treatment is best for you and protecting your long term health. A doctor may prescribe a treatment that will lessen the occurrence of bladder leakage over time.