The bladder is a triangular, muscular sac located in your lower abdomen. The hollow organ maintains its position by relying on ligaments that attach it to other adjacent organs and the bones in the pelvic region. When the bladder is full, it begins to contract, which expels the urine it holds through the urethra. Sometimes, you may have Mount Vernon overactive bladder, an issue characterized by a regular and urgent need to empty your bladder while it is not full. If you have an overactive bladder, you will find yourself going to urinate several times during the day or night.
Without treating an overactive bladder or managing its symptoms, you risk urinary tract infections, bladder stones, sleep deprivation, and inhibited sexual satisfaction. Subsequently, below are potential solutions your doctor may recommend for treating or managing an overactive bladder.
- Botox injections
Botox injections contain a toxin from clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that naturally produces dangerous toxins in a low-oxygen environment. Because botulinum toxins are lethal, they can impede nerve functions and trigger the paralysis of your muscles and respiratory system.
However, the Botox treatment involves refined, small doses of botulinum toxins, which are generally safe for your health. Your doctor will inject Botox into the muscles of your bladder, which can make them relax.
If the bladder muscles are relaxed when it is not full of urine, you will not need to go to the bathroom frequently.
- Lifestyle changes
Regular consumption of some drinks and foods may make you more susceptible to bladder irritation, leading to a frequent urge to empty your bladder, which is not full.
Hence, avoiding or limiting your intake of certain foods and drinks may help alleviate symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Avoid drinking lots of fluids, especially in the evening or before sleep. Drinking excess fluids before you sleep will often make your bladder full, making you wake up in the middle of the night to urinate. Avoid intake of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
Moreover, ensure the diets you consume are richly packed with fiber. Dietary fiber aids digestion and makes your stool softer and bulkier, putting you at less risk of constipation and an overactive bladder.
Also, maintain or achieve a healthy weight. Some clinical studies show that when you have excess body weight, there is more intra-abdominal pressure, which puts more stress on your bladder.
Additionally, stop smoking. When you smoke, you inhale toxins that get into your bloodstream and end up in your bladder. Exposure of your bladder to toxic substances from smoking can irritate it and worsen the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
- Sacral nerve stimulation
Also referred to as sacral neuromodulation, sacral nerve stimulation involves your doctor inserting an electrode into the skin around your bladder. The electrical charge triggers the nerves and muscles of your bladder to become more relaxed.
Thus, InterStim® sacral nerve stimulation can help alleviate the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
You can prevent an overactive bladder by adopting healthy living, which puts you at less risk of the condition. For instance, you will need to avoid being obese or overweight, limit your intake of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, stay physically active, regularly perform pelvic floor muscle exercises, and better manage your chronic health problems like diabetes.
Contact your provider to learn which is the ideal method to help you get relief from an overactive bladder.