Have you ever found yourself suddenly rushing to the bathroom, only to arrive just in time? Or perhaps you've experienced that dreadful urge to urinate, seemingly out of nowhere. If so, you're not alone. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. But it doesn't have to control your life. At Urology Specialists of Ohio, we understand the challenges OAB presents and are committed to helping our patients overcome them.
Overactive bladder isn't just about needing to go more often than usual. It's a condition where your bladder muscles contract at the wrong time, leading to a sudden urge to urinate that you can't always control. This involuntary contraction can happen due to various reasons, such as nerve damage or an overactive detrusor muscle (the muscle that squeezes urine out of your bladder).
OAB isn't new; it's been recognized and treated for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used a combination of honey, dates, and donkey milk to treat urinary incontinence, which is often associated with OAB. In the 19th century, doctors started using electrical stimulation to treat urinary issues, paving the way for modern treatments like pelvic floor physical therapy.
It's essential to understand that while OAB can involve urge incontinence (leaking urine when you have a sudden urge), it's not limited to this symptom. Stress incontinence (leaking urine due to physical activity or pressure) and overflow incontinence (leaking urine because your bladder doesn't empty completely) can also be part of the picture. Additionally, nocturia (waking up at night to urinate) is another common symptom.
Symptoms of OAB can vary from person to person. Some people may experience a strong urge to urinate only once or twice a day, while others might feel it multiple times an hour. The most common symptoms include:
Urinary urgency: A sudden, strong need to urinate that's difficult to control.
Frequency: Urinating more often than usual, with fewer than eight hours between trips to the bathroom.
Urgency incontinence: Leaking urine when you feel a strong urge to go.
These symptoms can significantly impact your daily life. They may cause you to limit social activities, avoid intimacy, or even change your job due to frequent restroom breaks. Moreover, the constant worry about finding a bathroom can lead to anxiety and stress.
At Urology Specialists of Ohio, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing OAB. Our process begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. We'll discuss your symptoms, their severity, and any potential triggers, such as caffeine or alcohol consumption.
To measure urinary urgency and frequency, we may use tools like a bladder diary or urodynamic testing. A bladder diary is a simple record of your fluid intake and urine output over a few days. Urodynamic tests, on the other hand, provide more detailed information about how your bladder works by measuring pressure in your bladder as it fills and empties.
In some cases, we may recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. These can include ultrasound scans, cystoscopy (using a thin tube with a camera to view inside your bladder), or urodynamic studies. Rest assured, our team will always explain these procedures and their benefits before proceeding.
Once we've made an accurate diagnosis, we'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your unique needs. Our approach is patient-centric, meaning we consider your preferences, lifestyle, and overall health when recommending treatments.
Treatment options for OAB range from simple lifestyle modifications to advanced procedures. We may suggest dietary changes, bladder training, or pelvic floor physical therapy as initial steps. Medications can also be effective in managing symptoms, with several types available depending on your specific needs.
For those who don't respond to conservative treatments, we offer state-of-the-art interventional procedures. Aquablation, for instance, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses water jet ablation to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common cause of OAB in men. Similarly, mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini PCNL) can remove large or complex kidney stones, another potential cause of OAB symptoms.
Our commitment to using the latest technology and techniques ensures that you receive the best possible care. We also prioritize your comfort and convenience, offering nitrous oxide for certain procedures and an in-house certified pharmacy for streamlined medication access.
Don't let overactive bladder control your life any longer. Take the first step towards reclaiming your freedom by contacting Urology Specialists of Ohio today. Our team of board-certified urologists and advanced practice providers are here to help, every step of the way.
Urology Specialists of Ohio has been an integral part of the community for more than 20 years, and currently serves Springfield, Beavercreek, Xenia, Dayton, and Urbana striving to improve patient care, with excellence in all areas of Urology.
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(937) 247-6616Fax:
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