Overactive Bladder
Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPT
Medical Editors: Dennis Lee, MD, and William
C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is an overactive
bladder?
An overactive bladder is a condition that results
from sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of the urinary
bladder. Overactive bladder causes a sudden and unstoppable need to urinate
(urinary urgency), even though the bladder may only contain a small amount of urine.
Overactive bladder is also referred to as urge incontinence
and is a form of urinary incontinence (unintentional loss of urine). Another common type of urinary incontinence is called stress incontinence, which is caused by anatomic weakness in the structures that prevent the bladder from leaking. In general, urinary incontinence is more common in women compared to men.
Although it can happen at any age, overactive bladder is especially common in older adults. Overactive bladder affects an estimated one in 11 adults in the United States. Overactive bladder, however, should not be considered a normal part of aging.
What are the causes of overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder is typically caused by spasms of the muscles of the bladder, resulting in an urge to urinate (hence, urge incontinence). Overactive bladder is primarily a problem of the nerves and muscles of the bladder. Detrusor is one of the major muscles of the bladder. Its contraction in response to filling of the bladder by urine is one the steps in the normal process of urination. The contraction and relaxation of the detrusor muscle is regulated by the nervous system. Approximately 300 cc of urine in the bladder can signal the nervous to trigger muscles of the bladder to coordinate urination. Voluntary control of the sphincter muscles at the opening of the bladder can hold the urine in the bladder for longer. Up to 600 cc of urine can be contained in a normal adult bladder.
Overactive bladder typically results from inappropriate contraction of the detrusor muscle regardless of the amount of urine.
The common abnormalities of the nervous system that cause of overactive bladder
are
There are also some causes of overactive bladder and urge incontinence with a normal nervous system. For example, urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or bladder tumors can cause also cause overactivity of the detrusor muscle, leading to overactive bladder.
Sometimes no apparent cause of overactive bladder can be determined (idiopathic overactive bladder).
Next: Are there any risk factors for overactive bladder? »
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