Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder Symptoms

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of common bladder control problems, it’s time to see a bladder incontinence specialist who may ask you to fill out a symptom tracker to get a better idea of your daily experience and help confirm your diagnosis.

Symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) include:

Urge incontinence

• Urinating before you reach the bathroom
• Experiencing frequent leaks
• Using pads or protective garments

Urgency-frequency

• Frequent, uncontrollable urge to go
• Going more than 8 times a day
• Feeling like your bladder is never empty

What is Urinary Retention

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of common bladder control problems, it’s time to see a bladder incontinence specialist who may ask you to fill out a symptom tracker to get a better idea of your daily experience and help confirm your diagnosis.

Does This Sound Familiar?

• Difficulty starting to urinate
• Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• Weak dribble or stream of urine
• Loss of small amounts of urine during the day
• Inability to feel when bladder is full
• Increased abdominal pressure
• Lack of urge to urinate
• Strained efforts to push urine out of the bladder
• Frequent urination
• Nocturia (waking up more than two times at night to urinate)

Symptoms of urinary retention* include:

• Can’t tell if your bladder is full
• Holding increasingly large amounts of urine
• Weak or dribbling stream
• Needing to use a catheter

Why Is This Happening?
There are two general types of urinary retention: obstructive and non-obstructive. If there is an obstruction (for example, kidney stones), urine cannot flow freely through the urinary tract. Non-obstructive causes include a weak bladder muscle and nerve problems that interfere with signals between the brain and the bladder. If the nerves aren’t working properly, the brain may not get the message that the bladder is full.

Some of the most common causes of non-obstructive urinary retention are:

• Stroke
• Vaginal childbirth
• Pelvic injury or trauma
• Impaired muscle or nerve function due to medication or anesthesia
• Accidents that injure the brain or spinal cord

Obstructive retention may result from:

• Cancer
• Kidney or bladder stones
• Enlarged prostate (BPH) in men

Please note: InterStim™ is not indicated for Obstructive Retention

Treat Yourself to Less Worry
Urinary retention is a treatable condition. Don’t be afraid to speak up about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. This will help your doctor find the right treatment for you.