Overactive Bladder
Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a medical condition characterised by loss of bladder control.
Common symptoms of OAB include:
- Frequency: Need to urinate frequently, more than
eight times a day
- Urgency: A sudden and strong urge to urinate which
cannot be held back.
- Nocturia: Need to get up to visit the toilet two or more times at night
- Incontinence: Uncontrollable leakage of urine due to urgency
OAB is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Although OAB becomes more common with age, men and women of all ages in all regions of the world
suffer the symptoms. Overall, one in six adults suffers from OAB.
Impact of OAB on daily life
OAB symptoms are bothersome; it can be very embarrassing for sufferers and can cause major disruptions to everyday life.
OAB negatively affects:
-
Emotional, physical, and mental well-being,
- Workplace productivity,
- Social and family life,
- Sexual relationships.
Many people believe nothing can be done to alleviate OAB symptoms. OAB sufferers often resort to adapting their life to cope with the symptoms:
-
Shop only in places with easily reached public restrooms
- Avoid long car rides
- Choose aisle seats in movie theatres and airplanes
- Carry a spare set of clothing, in case they have a wetting incident.
- Wear incontinence pads to avoid embarrassment smells