Bladder control: a common
and embarrassing (and treatable) problem
Most people
don't think twice about the ability to control their bladders. However,
millions of Americans struggle with overactive bladders on a daily
basis. Whenever they go out, they must make mental notes of where the
restrooms are, or how long it will be until they pass a restroom. When
they eat meals, they must be careful about the foods they eat and how
much they drink. In the middle of the night, they sometimes wake up
several times with the uncontrollable urge to urinate. Bladder control
problems are not easy to deal with; to make matters worse, people who
share this problem are often reluctant to talk about it.
More than
33 million Americans fit the definition of having overactive bladders,
and the vast majority of these cases can be remedied through proper
treatment. Treating most cases of overactive bladders is easy. Reducing
stress, performing certain exercises and monitoring fluid intake is
enough to relieve most people of their symptoms. Sometimes, an
overactive bladder can be more difficult to calm, and occasionally a
bladder control problem may signal a more dangerous health risk.
Still,
the fact remains that most people with overactive bladder can find help
if they're willing to talk about their conditions. If you or someone
you know has an overactive bladder, schedule an appointment with a
doctor to receive a health evaluation. This site was created to provide
the basic information about bladder control problems, symptoms and
treatments. We've pulled information from numerous resources to bring
you the information you need.
Correcting
overactive bladders
Why do bladder control problems
happen? Bladder control problems may result from weak pelvic muscles, or
from an injury that caused damage to the pelvic region. Pregnancies can
cause bladder control problems, making incontinence a major problem for
adult women. Illnesses, age and medicine can also contribute to the
development of overactive bladder. Even stress can cause people to
develop bladder control problems, highlighting counseling and lifestyle
changes as effective means of treatment.
Of course, each person's
case of overactive bladder is different. Rather than attempt to create a
one-size-fits-all course of treatment, doctors prefer to formulate
treatment plans on a case-by-case basis. Some people can overcome their
symptoms with nothing more than simple exercises to strengthen the
pelvic muscles, while others may need a combination of therapy and
medication. Bladder control problems are incredibly personal, and
treatment plans should be issued in the same manner – to fit each
individual.
