The problem with the bladder knows millions of Germans. But what leads to an overactive bladder, also called irritable bladder? Is there anything you can do preventively? An intimate, but an important topic. After all, more and more young people are also affected by it.
What is an irritable bladder
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the urinary bladder. Click to enlarge. One speaks of an overactive bladder (irritable bladder) when the function of the bladder is disturbed. Physical causes do not always have to be found. Those affected more often than average have the feeling that their bladder is full. However, this is not the case from a purely biological point of view. Often, despite the strongest urge to urinate, there is only a little urine in the bladder. With an irritable bladder, the urge to urinate occurs very suddenly and urgently. More than eight times within 24 hours, you have the feeling that you absolutely have to go to the toilet. Even in the middle of the night, patients are awakened by their apparently full bladder. Extremely unpleasant – but fortunately not always a given – is (nocturnal) enuresis. Women are more often affected by irritable bladder than men.
Causes
There are many causes of an irritable bladder. Pregnancies and other changes in hormonal status (menopause) not infrequently lead to an irritable bladder. However, prolonged sitting on stones or other cold surfaces can also be causative. It is known that women get bladder inflammation very easily due to shortened urinary tract. As a result of this inflammation, an irritable bladder can develop. If the symptoms are very severe, a tumor or a foreign body should also be considered when looking for the cause. Certain medications can also trigger an irritable bladder. But the causes are not always physical. Stress at work or in private life can also lead to an irritable bladder in people with a corresponding disposition. What leads to an irritated stomach in one person, hits the bladder in another.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
A typical sign of an irritable bladder is an almost sudden urge to urinate, even if the bladder is often only partially filled. Affected people then feel, without warning, a sudden need to quickly visit the nearest toilet. Some can hardly hold back this urge and urine may escape before the toilet is reached, in some cases a few drops, but in others larger amounts of urine. Most sufferers also have to visit a toilet several times during the night, which can disrupt sleep quality. Doctors speak of an irritable bladder or overactive bladder when the bladder needs to be emptied more than eight times a day and twice a night. In addition to the sudden urge to urinate, involuntary urine leakage can also occur when sneezing or during physical exertion such as lifting and carrying. This form is referred to by doctors as stress incontinence. The symptoms of irritable bladder severely restrict sufferers because they always feel the need to be near a toilet. The fear of involuntary urine leakage can exacerbate symptoms due to the constant tension and severely affect the overall quality of life.
Disease progression
The course of irritable bladder can rarely be improved without external intervention. The severity varies. However, many patients have two things in common:
They often feel little hunger. Abdominal pain is also not uncommon. When urine is passed, a burning pain occurs. Despite these signs, many sufferers remain alone with their disease. But shame should not lead to shying away from going to the doctor. As the disease progresses, many patients drink less and less. But this leads to a weaker and weaker bladder. In the end, the clinical picture of irritable bladder only worsens.
Complications
If an irritable bladder is treated adequately in a timely manner, serious complications are generally not to be expected. However, many sufferers are still embarrassed by this condition or do not take it seriously initially. In these cases, bladder irritation can be more severe than if treated promptly. On the one hand, the pain during urination, which is usually mild at first, can increase in intensity and become unbearable for the affected person.In response to this symptom, patients often drastically reduce their fluid intake, but this only exacerbates the underlying condition and can lead to circulatory problems and a number of secondary diseases. Furthermore, if the disorder is not immediately treated professionally, the risk of the disorder becoming chronic increases. In a chronic course, urinary incontinence often develops as well. In addition, the risk of developing a functional shrinkage bladder increases. In addition to physical symptoms, complications of a psychological or social nature are to be expected, especially with a chronic irritable bladder. Because sufferers have lost control of their bladder, they avoid situations in which they cannot visit a toilet at any time. Traveling on public transport, taking part in company or club outings, and going to the theater or cinema are then perceived by sufferers as stressful situations that they prefer to avoid. Permanently, this can lead to social isolation, which in turn can cause serious mental illness, especially depression.
When should you see a doctor?
Changes and abnormalities of the toilet, should basically continue to be observed. If the complaints persist over a longer period of time or show an increasing intensity, clarification of the symptoms by a doctor is advisable. If the toilet is visited unusually frequently and there is inner restlessness or irritability, there is a need for action. Frequent urination can be interpreted as a warning signal from the organism. If a feeling of pressure develops in the bladder even when taking in small amounts of fluid, the observations should be discussed with a doctor. If the need to urinate develops again shortly after going to the toilet, this is considered a cause for concern. A doctor’s visit is required to make a diagnosis. In case of persistent stress, a phase of emotional strain as well as a general feeling of indisposition, consultation with a doctor should be sought. If there are sleep disturbances, a decrease in physical performance, or if daily responsibilities cannot be adequately performed due to the disturbances, a physician is needed. If incontinence, feelings of shame, or emotional irregularities develop, consultation with a physician is advised. If social problems develop or recreational activities cannot be performed due to the symptoms, a physician should be consulted.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of overactive bladder can be done with medication. It is advisable to consult a doctor who is familiar with alternative treatment methods. In fact, an irritable bladder can be treated very well with herbal medicines. They often contain components of nettle or pumpkin and are very well tolerated even by sensitive people. Targeted training of the muscles in the pelvic floor can strengthen the bladder. In no case should you make the mistake of drinking less. This is a mistake. Because the irritable bladder already shows itself with very small amounts of urine. And without enough fluids, there is a risk that other functions will fail. In the worst case, the body can become dehydrated. If no physical causes for the irritable bladder can be found, the only thing that helps is to cut back in life and find the stress trigger. If the problem is more serious, seeing a psychologist can be helpful. Sometimes just a few conversations can help. Taboo should be with an irritable bladder if possible: coffee, alcohol and cigarettes.
Prevention
Many people ask themselves out of fear of an irritable bladder: what can I do preventively? The advice of our grandmothers still applies: do not sit on cold floors! Bladder infections and later the irritable bladder can thus be avoided. Of course, nothing can be done against hormonal disturbances due to pregnancy and menopause. But especially in our fast-moving times applies:
Better take a breath and don’t let yourself be stressed by (apparent) problems! Your own body (the bladder) will thank you. The irritable bladder does not occur (anymore).
This is what you can do yourself
Ways to help yourself with an overactive bladder are several. However, it should be noted that not all measures work equally well for all people. This is due to the fact that the causes of irritable bladder can be so diverse. For example, those affected can primarily perform bladder and continence training.This essentially consists of drinking larger quantities of water. The amount of water drunk should be increased bit by bit so that the bladder can expand. This alone can reduce the urge to urinate. In addition, those affected should deliberately extend the times between trips to the toilet and thus train themselves to hold their urine. It is important that urine is held until the affected person really needs to go to the toilet very urgently. Accordingly, continence training should be done within reach of a toilet. Diuretic foods and beverages should be avoided. This includes in particular coffee, black tea, alcoholic beverages and nettles. Reducing or quitting smoking can soothe an irritated bladder. If the urge to urinate is primarily psychologically induced, sufferers can develop distraction strategies in everyday life. If a situation occurs that leads to a sudden urge to urinate, for example, counting internally or reciting a poem can be used. Focusing on one thought can reduce stress and relax the bladder. Hot compresses, spicy ointments (with mint, for example), and warm baths help with pain and cramps related to this condition.
