Ever felt like you need to rush the toilet out of the blue? You race there hoping you'll make it in time, only to find there isn’t much urine to release. This frustrating experience could be a sign of overactive bladder (OAB), a common condition affecting millions all around the world.

OAB shouldn't stop you from living life to the fullest. So, let's dive into the world of OAB, understanding its symptoms, causes, and most importantly, how to take back control.

What is an Overactive Bladder (OAB)?

OAB is a group of urinary symptoms that can significantly disrupt your daily routine. The main symptom is urinary urgency, a sudden, strong urge to pee that can be hard to control [1].

This urgency might be accompanied by frequent urination, and needing to use the bathroom more often than usual, even during the night (nocturia). In some cases, you might experience urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine.

OAB vs. Other Types of Urinary Incontinence

It's important to distinguish OAB from other types of urinary incontinence. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Stress incontinence: Leaking urine due to physical pressure on the bladder, like coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
• Urge incontinence: Leaking urine associated with the sudden, strong urge to pee characteristic of OAB.
• Mixed incontinence: Experiencing both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Symptoms of OAB

While urinary urgency is the main culprit, OAB can manifest in several ways [2]:

• Frequent urination - needing to pee more than 8 times a day
• Nocturia - waking up at night to pee
• Difficulty controlling the urge to pee
• Leaking urine due to urgency
• Feeling like your bladder isn't emptying completely

Causes of OAB

The exact cause of OAB isn't completely understood due to the complex mechanics of bladder control [2]. But some studies have found there can be several contributing factors:

• Involuntary bladder muscle contractions: The muscles in your bladder contract even when it's not full, triggering the urge to pee.
• Nerve signals: Disrupted communication between your bladder and brain can lead to urgency and frequent urination [3].
• Underlying medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes, neurological disorders, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can irritate the bladder or affect nerve signals.
• Lifestyle factors: Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, and being overweight can all worsen OAB symptoms.

Risk Factors for OAB

While anyone can develop the condition, there are certain factors that can increase the likelihood of this - including:

• Age: Multiple studies have found that the prevalence of OAB increases with age [2,3].
• Gender: Women are more likely to experience OAB due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause [2].
• Neurological conditions: Conditions like Parkinson's Disease or Multiple Sclerosis can affect bladder control.

Living With OAB

While overactive bladder syndrome can be frustrating at times, it doesn't have to control your life and there are many strategies you can use to manage your symptoms and regain control and confidence. These can include:

• Lifestyle modifications: Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Bladder training: This involves retraining your bladder to hold urine for longer periods. It might involve techniques like scheduled urination and pelvic floor muscle exercises (such as Kegels).
• Dietary changes: Certain foods and drinks can irritate the bladder. Keeping a bladder diary to identify triggers like spicy foods, citrus fruits, or artificial sweeteners can help.
• Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises: Some studies have found that pelvic floor muscle training might help to reduce OAB symptoms [4].
• Consult your doctor: A visit to your doctor should always be the first step with managing any health issue. They will be able to assess your unique situation and give expert advice 
• Medical devices: In some cases, medical devices like vaginal pessaries or urethral inserts can provide additional support for the bladder and urethra. If this interests you, you can discuss this with your doctor.

OAB can be a frustrating condition, but you don't have to face it alone. Remember, millions of people experience overactive bladder syndrome, and there are effective ways to manage it.

If you suspect you have OAB, a visit to your doctor is the first step. They can diagnose the condition, determine the underlying cause, and create a personalised treatment plan to help you regain control and get back to living your life to the fullest.