Overactive bladder can be an embarrassing and downright frustrating condition for many people. An overactive bladder can prevent individuals from wanting to leave the house, even preventing them from going on vacation, eating out and avoiding social situations, and it makes going to the movies downright impossible. Overactive bladder can happen to anyone and it can trigger at any time. Caused by damage to the bladder’s nerves, the muscles or damage to the nervous system, overactive bladder can occur as the result of a number of conditions including multiple sclerosis, diabetes and infection, among other things. Luckily, there is a solution. There are ways to treat overactive bladder that can make a huge difference in your life. Using a combination of natural remedies, behavioral training and medications, you can take control over your bladder, and more importantly your life. The top four treatments for overactive bladder are bladder training, changing your drinking habits, anticholinergic drugs and Tofranil. If you are currently suffering from overactive bladder and are in need of relief, read on to learn more about the top overactive bladder treatments.
Top Overactive Bladder Treatment Options
- Bladder Training
- Changes in Drinking Habits
- Anticholinergic Drugs
- Tofranil
Bladder Training
You can train your bladder to fight bladder urgency. Bladder training is actually one of the most common means of treating overactive bladder. It works to help patients change their bathroom habits. Instead of going to the bathroom each time they feel the urge, going to the bathroom is put on a schedule. In doing so, the urge is controlled as you wait for those scheduled times. Patients feeling the urge to use the bathroom first wait a few minutes and gradually increase the waiting time to an hour or even more.
Highlights:
- Bladder urgency becomes controlled by you
- Does not require taking medications
- Relatively easy to practice
Changes in Drinking Habits
Another way to ease overactive bladder is to change your drinking habits in a few different ways. For one, those suffering from overactive bladder should avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the body and can cause you to go to the bathroom more frequently. Patients with overactive bladder should also avoid drinking fluids before activities, when going to the bathroom will likely disrupt those activities. Individuals should also avoid drinking fluids before going to bed, so they do not need to go frequently during the night.
Highlights:
- Don’t drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol
- Avoiding drinking before activities
- Don’t drink anything before bed
Anticholinergic drugs
Anticholinergic drugs are used to block nerve signals that are connected to the bladder muscles. Anticholinergic drugs like Enablex may potentially increase bladder capacity and control the urge to go to the bathroom. However, these types of drugs can cause constipation, increased heart rate and blurry vision. Therefore, individuals with glaucoma or urinary retention are advised not to take these medications.
Highlights:
- Should not be taken by individuals with glaucoma
- Can increase bladder capacity
- Can control urge to go
Tofranil
Tofranil is a type of antidepressant, but it can actually help with overactive bladder as well. It works simultaneously as a muscle relaxer. In fact, it is sometimes given to children who wet the bed at night. Taking this medication also helps individuals sleep at night, which can be helpful when overactive bladder keeps people up at night. Additionally, as an antidepressant it can improve a patient’s mood and energy level, which may or may not be affected by overactive bladder.
Highlights:
- Can improve sleep habits
- Can relieve bowel and urinary urgency
- Used for bed wetting in children
Conclusion:
Overactive bladder can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem for many. But with the right treatments, bowel and urinary urgency can be controlled. Talk to your doctor about any of these treatments to find the best option for you.