What Is Overactive Bladder?
Loss of bladder control is called
urinary incontinence. It can happen to anyone, but is very common in older people. More than 13 million people in the United States -- male and female, young and old -- experience urinary incontinence. It is often temporary, and it always results from an underlying medical condition.
One type of urinary incontinence is called urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is also known as overactive bladder. If you lose urine for no apparent reason, while suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate, you may have overactive bladder.
The most common cause of overactive bladder is inappropriate bladder
contractions.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults over age 40 has symptoms of overactive bladder.
If you experience overactive bladder, you may feel embarrassed. It may help you to remember that loss of bladder control can usually be treated. You will need to overcome your embarrassment, and see a doctor, to learn if you need treatment for an underlying medical condition.
Understanding Bladder Control
The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder contract or tighten. This forces urine out of the bladder, and into a tube called the urethra, that carries urine out of the body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the urine pass through. Spinal nerves control how these muscles move. Overactive bladder occurs if the bladder muscles contract without warning.
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