UROLOGY
Overactive Bladder vs. Continence: Know the Difference and Live Better
Have you ever been embarrassed by an unexpected leak of urine? If so, you’re not alone. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that affects millions of people every year.
OAB can be embarrassing and can significantly reduce quality of life. It’s important to understand the difference between OAB and urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine, to help ensure you’re receiving the right treatment.
With the right information and management, you can take control of your bladder health and live a better life.
What is an overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder occurs when the bladder is not able to completely empty when urinating. This may cause increased frequency and urgency, as well as urge incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine with increased frequency or urgency. OAB can occur with any type of urinary incontinence, including stress, urge, and mixed (combination of stress and urge).
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. It is often associated with an overactive bladder but can also be caused by other factors like aging, childbirth, certain medications, and certain chronic health conditions.
Urinary incontinence can be mild, moderate, or severe and can be either temporary or long-lasting.
How to differentiate overactive bladder from urinary incontinence?
It is important to differentiate between overactive bladder and urinary incontinence to determine the best treatment.
One way to differentiate the two conditions is to evaluate your current symptoms and compare them to what is described as “normal” for a person your age.
You can also use a symptom diary to track your bladders and urinary incontinence symptoms over a few weeks period. A symptom diary is a tool used to track your symptoms over a specific period of time.
An overactive bladder symptom diary can help you track your symptoms, including number and frequency of urination, the sensations you feel prior to urination, and whether you experience urgency or urge incontinence.
A symptom diary can help you determine if your symptoms are consistent and if they match those of overactive bladder or urinary incontinence.
Watch this short video for more information- Overactive Bladder
Risk factors for overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
- Older age — Urinary incontinence is more common in older adults due to changes in the bladder, urethra, and other parts of the urinary tract.
- Women — Women are more likely to have urinary incontinence than men. Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause — these are common causes of urinary incontinence in women.
- Certain chronic diseases — Conditions such as diabetes, neurologic disorders, and multiple sclerosis can increase the risk for urinary incontinence.
- Certain medications — Certain medications, such as antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, diuretics, and anticonvulsants, can increase the risk for urinary incontinence.
Symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
Common symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence include: -
- frequent urination,
- increased urgency,
- increased urge, and
- a feeling of “not being finished” when urinating.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your health care provider.
Urinary incontinence –
Urinary incontinence symptoms include involuntary leakage of small amounts of urine, usually when-
- coughing,
- sneezing,
- laughing, or
- exercising, and
- more significant leakage of larger amounts of urine at any time.
Overactive bladder –
With overactive bladder, you may experience urinary frequency, an increased sensation of urgency to urinate, and may also experience urinary urge incontinence, the sensation that you need to urinate immediately, even if your bladder is not full.
Treatment options for overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
Treatment for overactive bladder and urinary incontinence is individualized based on the person’s symptoms, age, and medical history. Treatment options may include:
- Self-management techniques — Managing your OAB and urinary incontinence symptoms can improve your quality of life. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, like avoiding triggers and staying hydrated, and bladder retraining. In bladder retraining, you retrain your bladder to hold more urine by gradually increasing your bladder capacity.
- Medication — Mild-to-moderate symptoms of OAB and urinary incontinence may be treated with medications, like anticholinergics, botulinum toxin, tadalafil, or duloxetine.
- Surgery — In older adults, urinary incontinence may become more frequent and severe, or the person may develop bladder spasms or bladder control problems due to nerve damage or other changes in the bladder. If these changes are not treatable with medication, surgery may be an option, such as a bladder augmentation or sling procedure.
How to manage overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
If you have OAB or urinary incontinence, you may want to try some self-management techniques to help improve your symptoms. If your symptoms are not improving, you may want to seek the advice of a urologist or other qualified health care provider to find the best treatment options for you.
Urinary incontinence –
If you have urinary incontinence, staying hydrated is an important self-management technique. Hydrating can help decrease your risk of bladder infections and incontinence.
To help manage your symptoms, you may want to try avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen urinary incontinence. Wearing loose clothing and using a pad when you are experiencing more significant leakage may help reduce your symptoms.
You may also want to speak with your doctor about prescription bladder control products.
Overactive bladder –
If you have OAB, improving your hydration, sleep, and diet, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, staying active, and reducing stress will improve your symptoms and help you better manage your condition.
You may also want to try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to help reduce stress.
Bladder retraining, biofeedback, and pelvic floor exercises may also be helpful for OAB management.
Tips on living with overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
If you have OAB or urinary incontinence, you may be feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or even depressed.
You may feel like you have to isolate yourself, avoid certain social situations, or even quit your job because you feel like you have no control over your bladder. But you do have control. With the right treatment, you can take control of your bladder health and live a better life.
Remember that you are not alone. Approximately 40% of adults in the entire world experience some form of urinary incontinence. You can also find support and guidance from others who are managing OAB and urinary incontinence via online forums, social media groups, and support groups.
You can learn more about treatment and medications here in this article-
Resources for managing overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
A urologist, who treats urinary disorders, may be able to offer treatments for both OAB and urinary incontinence.
Other health care providers who work with people who have urinary incontinence are trained to help with treatment and management options, including physical therapists, dietitians, and nurses.
You may also want to research online support groups or apps for managing OAB and urinary incontinence symptoms.
