Overactive bladder refers to a condition wherein there is a problem in the ability of the bladder to store urine. This results in a sudden and strong urge to urinate. It is often difficult for individuals with this condition to suppress the urge and it can lead to urinary incontinence.


Overactive bladder may cause some amount of embarrassment and isolation. It can also disrupt the daily professional and social life of an individual. Once the cause of overactive bladder is determined, proper treatment may be administered to treat the symptoms and enable the individual to manage the condition in daily life.


There are certain characteristic symptoms of overactive bladder. The most prominent symptom is that of a sudden and intense urge to urinate. There may also be an involuntary loss of urine when such an urge occurs.

Individuals with overactive bladder may have to urinate quite frequently during the day. They may also wake up in the night to urinate. There are many individuals with overactive bladder who are reluctant to seek medical help for their condition. Even though it may pose a problem for many to discuss the condition, it is imperative that they do so, as only with proper help and treatment will the condition be resolved. It is also perceived by some that overactive bladder occurs as one ages. However, this is not a natural part of ageing and therefore it is important to seek treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment will help to identify and correct the underlying problem which is causing the symptoms of overactive bladder.

Apart from prescription medications there are also some natural ways to control an overactive bladder. Bladder control is essentially control over the muscles which work together while the bladder stores urine. These muscles should be relaxed and those surrounding the urethra must be tightened. There are certain exercises which help to build control over these muscles. This will enable the bladder to hold urine and prevent incontinence. Such exercises are known as pelvic floor muscle exercises. To perform these exercises, the muscle that surrounds the rectum, which is the pelvic floor muscle must be tightened for about 5 seconds and then relaxed. You can then try to keep the muscle tightened for 10 seconds. The muscle must be relaxed completely after each tightening.

Bladder control can also be built by having scheduled bathroom trips. For instance, if an individual usually goes to the bathroom every hour, he should schedule his routine in such a way that he now goes after every hour and 15 minutes. After a few days, the time gap between bathroom visits can again be increased. The aim of this schedule should be to empty the bladder only after every 3 or 4 hours. If there is an urge to urinate before that, there are some techniques which can be used to reduce the urge and enable relaxation of the bladder. Slow and deep breathing through the mouth brings about a sense of relaxation and is helpful in dealing with overactive bladder. Tightening the pelvic floor muscle several times in quick manner is also beneficial.

Intake of certain foods and fluids can worsen the symptoms of overactive bladder. Alcohol, caffeinated beverages and carbonated drinks should be avoided. Citrus fruits, spicy foods and artificial sweeteners may also aggravate an overactive bladder and hence should be restricted in the diet. There are certain medications which may worsen the condition. However, one must consult a doctor before discontinuing any prescription medication. Healthy bowel habits help to alleviate overactive bladder symptoms. For healthy bowel movements, regular exercise, a fiber rich diet and plenty of water intake is necessary.