If you find yourself constantly looking for the nearest restroom whenever you’re out, or you’re waking up multiple times at night to urinate, you’re not alone—and it might be more than just having a small bladder or being over-hydrated. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a distinct medical condition that affects millions of men and women. OAB can become more than a minor problem; it can significantly impact your life. The good news? It’s treatable.
At Beacon Clinic in Coeur d’Alene, our urology team helps patients understand OAB: what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how to take control of their bladder health.
What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder is a medical condition marked by frequently experiencing a sudden, urgent need to urinate—sometimes with leakage, sometimes without. It’s not a disease itself but a collection of symptoms caused by issues with how your bladder stores urine.
OAB can affect anyone—male or female, of any age—but becomes more common as people age. Still, it’s not something you just have to live with. OAB is manageable, and treatment can lead to significant improvement.
Common Symptoms of OAB
- Urgency: A strong, sudden need to urinate that’s hard to control
- Frequency: Needing to urinate more than 8 times in a 24-hour period
- Nocturia: Waking up more than once during the night to urinate
- Urge incontinence: Involuntary urine leakage following the urge to go
These symptoms can disrupt sleep, limit social activities, and even lead to anxiety or depression. If you’re changing your schedule or activities to accommodate bathroom access, avoiding outings, or feeling embarrassed by how often you need the bathroom, it’s time to get help.
What Causes Overactive Bladder?
Often, there’s no single cause, but several factors can contribute to OAB:
- Bladder muscle overactivity, where the bladder contracts too often or at the wrong times
- Neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke
- Hormonal changes, particularly during menopause
- Bladder stones or infections that irritate the bladder lining
- Enlarged prostate in men, which can affect bladder function and emptying
- Lifestyle triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, or high fluid intake
Sometimes, no clear cause can be found, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A proper diagnosis starts with a conversation. At Beacon Clinic, we’ll ask about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. We may also perform an exam and evaluation that may include:
- Urinalysis to rule out an infection or symptoms of another problem, such as blood in the urine
- Bladder diary in which you track urination patterns for a few days
- Post-void residual test to see how well your bladder empties
- Urodynamic testing for more complex cases to evaluate how your bladder and urethra are functioning
Getting the correct diagnosis is key to choosing the right treatment.
Treatment Options for OAB
Overactive bladder is treatable, and symptoms can be significantly reduced or eliminated in many cases. Treatment may include:
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol
- Managing fluid intake
- Bladder training (delaying urination gradually)
- Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
- Medications: Prescription drugs can relax the bladder muscle and reduce urgency and frequency.
- Physical Therapy: Specialized therapy can improve pelvic muscle control and coordination.
- Bladder Injections: Botox injections can help calm an overactive bladder muscle when other treatments haven’t worked.
- Nerve Stimulation (Neuromodulation): Devices that deliver mild electrical impulses to nerves that control the bladder can help regulate function.
Don’t Let OAB Control Your Life
It’s easy to brush off bladder issues as “normal” or “just part of getting older,” but frequent urgency and leakage aren’t things you have to accept. Overactive bladder is common—and treatable. If you’re dealing with symptoms of OAB, contact the Urology Department at Beacon Clinic. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your needs and lifestyle. Our experienced providers will help you regain comfort, confidence, and control. Contact Beacon Clinic today to schedule a consultation.
