Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition among older adults, particularly women. Overactive bladder is often associated with other conditions in the body, including irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.
Here are some of our articles on overactive bladder, along with some useful management tips and home remedies.
Overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome are influenced by the weakened biological clock. Lead author Dr. Changhao Wu said, “Previously, people have believed that the brain ‘master’ clock controls the ‘slave’ peripheral clocks, but our study is the first to show that in a contractile organ, such as the bladder, its receptors also control these clocks… By influencing the receptors in the bladder, we can also change our clock genes. These clocks are crucial in maintaining our physiological rhythm and preventing unwanted activities associated with an overactive bladder.”
The recent study challenges the previous belief that the central clock controls the peripheral clocks in other body parts. In fact, it was found that receptors in the bladder in particular regulate the local clock. This finding implied a possible connection between irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder. Continue reading…
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and overactive bladder (OAB) cause reduction in brain serotonin and cortisol levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that facilitates nerve cell communication, while cortisol is a hormone mainly associated with a stress response. Quite frequent in multiple sclerosis, bladder problems could also be one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis.
The nervous system is heavily involved in the process of urination and, as we know, multiple sclerosis largely affects the nervous system through destruction of the myelin, the protective coating around the nerves and spinal cord.
The researchers studied 101 patients with multiple sclerosis, assessing signs of an overactive bladder and measuring several biomarkers in the cerebral spinal fluid of the study subjects. Biomarkers included neurotransmitters and stress hormones.
Among fifteen participants who had overactive bladder, the researchers found a reduction in a breakdown product of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HIAA) – compared to participants who did not have overactive bladder.
The researchers stated, “MS patients with OAB syndrome at the first demyelinating episode show reductions in central serotonergic activity and stress hormones. Whether the same changes persist at later disease stages remains to be investigated.” Continue reading…
Who doesn’t love to get away? Taking a break from our busy lives for some fun and relaxation can really improve our overall health. Unfortunately, though, an overactive bladder (OAB) may stand in the way of you and your vacation hotspot – up until now at least.
Group therapy and meeting with others who share similar stories is a proven way to get on the road to recovery from many illnesses. Having an overactive bladder is no different. Instead of continuing to suffer on your own, there’s an opportunity to get together with similar people like you who suffer from an overactive bladder. The best part is you can meet with these people at a luxurious retreat. Continue reading…
Ever find yourself bolting to the closest bathroom because you’ve just got to go? Roughly 13 million people have some sort of bladder-related problem, including the urgency to go. This condition is called overactive bladder (OAB) and it can wreak havoc on your life.
Not only can an overactive bladder prevent you from sitting through a movie and going on long road trips, but it can seriously impact your sex life as well.
In the United Kingdom, bladder problems are the second biggest worry associated with aging, right after joint problems. Forty-four percent of the population report being concerned about losing control of their bodily functions due to aging. In fact, they are more concerned about bladder issues than developing diabetes or heart problems. Worse yet, it’s reported that four in 10 people claim that their bladder problems put a damper on their sex life and personal relationships. Continue reading…
Overactive bladder, or OAB, affects about 15 percent of the North American population. People who have OAB find themselves using the bathroom eight or more times a day and can even have urge incontinence – involuntary loss of urine.
Although it may appear that the older we get, the odds of us developing OAB increase, it really is not age-related. OAB occurs when contractions of the detrusor muscle – within the wall of the bladder – occur involuntarily. This, in turn, leads to more frequent trips to the bathroom. Continue reading…