Overactive Bladder

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Am I at Risk?

Reviewed by: David O. Sussman, D.O., FACOS

Both men and women stand a good chance of one day facing overactive bladder (OAB). The sudden and frequent urgency to urinate occurs when a muscle in the bladder malfunctions, yet the causes of these malfunctions are largely unknown. However, in some cases, OAB can be linked to a variety of risk factors, including age, chronic disease and medications.

Age and gender

Age is the single most common risk factor for overactive bladder, which is why some people assume their symptoms are a normal part of aging. They’re not. OAB, like many other medical conditions, is treatable.

While men and women are equally as likely to develop OAB, gender-specific factors increase risk (see Women’s Factors).

Medications

Your urge to urinate could have its roots in your medicine cabinet. A variety of medications can cause bladder-related symptoms. Examples include:

• Diuretics. Used to treat high blood pressure, edema, glaucoma and other conditions.
  
  
• Antidepressants. Prescribed for people with depression, anxiety and obsessive behavior.
  
  
• Sedatives. Used to treat anxiety.
  
  
• Anticholinergics. Medicines that help control muscle spasms and tremors.
  
  
• Alpha blockers. Prescribed to help lower blood pressure and treat vascular disease.
  
  
• Beta-adrenergic agonists. Used in the treatment of asthma attacks.

These medicines can impact bladder function in various ways. For example, diuretics and certain antidepressants affect your kidneys and lead to increased production of urine. In many cases, larger amounts of urine mean more frequent urination. Other medications, such as some anticholinergics, interfere with the communication among nerves that would normally help monitor the fullness of your bladder. (However, not everyone taking these drugs will have an overactive bladder as a side effect.)

Talk to your doctor about your prescriptions. You may be able to change the medication or dose and regain your bladder control.

Chronic disease

Healthy bladder function requires complex communication between many parts of your nervous system. If you have a condition that affects the nerves, communication throughout your body can be disrupted, putting you at a higher risk of developing overactive bladder. Such conditions include:

• Diabetes
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke

Other chronic diseases are also risk factors for an overactive bladder. Examples of such conditions include fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and depression. One theory is that these conditions are all linked through disruptions in the normal creation and use of serotonin and other chemicals involved in nerve communication.

Other concerns

Medical researchers continue to find factors that can increase the risk of developing an overactive bladder. There's some evidence that risk may be tied to smoking or consuming carbonated drinks, such as sodas. Some studies have also found that you're more likely to show temporary signs of OAB a few weeks after a urinary tract infection. More risk factors will probably be identified as research into the cause of OAB progresses.

What's Next: Women's Factors

• 9 Ways to Take Charge
• The Right Treatment
• Emotional Support

Review date: 05-01-2008