Overactive Bladder / OAB / Urge Incontinence
Overactive Bladder Care in La Mesa, CA
Evaluation and treatment planning for sudden urinary urgency, frequent urination, urge incontinence, urine leakage, nighttime urination, bladder muscle spasms, BPH-related bladder symptoms, and chronic overactive bladder concerns.
Overactive bladder, also known as OAB or urge incontinence, occurs when a person experiences a sudden and frequent urge to urinate that may also be accompanied by urine leakage. This happens because the bladder muscles contract at inappropriate times, regardless of how much urine has collected in the bladder. It can happen to anyone at any age, although it is most common in women and the elderly.
Overactive bladder evaluation near San Diego.
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides overactive bladder and urge incontinence evaluation for patients in La Mesa and surrounding San Diego communities.
Causes of Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder may be caused by various factors. In men, OAB may result from benign prostatic hyperplasia also known as BPH, or bladder obstruction due to an enlarged prostate. Underlying causes of OAB may include:
- Drug side effects
- Nerve damage
- Neurological disease or stroke
The following bladder problems may also be the cause of an overactive bladder:
- Urinary tract infection
- Cancer
- Bladder stones
- Inflammation
- Blockage
In some cases, a cause for OAB cannot be found.
In men, OAB may result from benign prostatic hyperplasia or bladder obstruction due to an enlarged prostate.
Drug side effects, nerve damage, neurological disease, or stroke may contribute to overactive bladder symptoms.
Urinary tract infection, cancer, bladder stones, inflammation, or blockage may cause similar symptoms.
Because urgency and frequency can overlap with infection, stones, obstruction, prostate enlargement, and bladder conditions, evaluation helps identify what is driving symptoms before treatment is chosen.
Diagnosis of Overactive Bladder
In addition to a physical exam, tests for OAB may include:
- Urinalysis
- Urinary stress test
- Ultrasound
- Cystoscopy
A post-void residual (PVR) test may also be performed to evaluate bladder function.
Urinalysis may help evaluate for infection, blood, or other urinary abnormalities.
Imaging or direct bladder evaluation may be recommended when symptoms suggest another urinary tract issue.
Urinary stress testing and post-void residual testing may help evaluate leakage patterns and bladder emptying.
Your urologist may also review your medication list, fluid intake, caffeine intake, bowel habits, urinary frequency, nighttime urination, leakage episodes, neurologic history, and prostate symptoms when appropriate.
Treatment of Overactive Bladder
Treatment for overactive bladder depends on the severity of symptoms, the underlying cause, and the patient's and doctor's preferences. Treatment options may include medication, bladder retraining and kegel exercises.
Medication may be recommended to help reduce urgency, frequency, bladder contractions, or urge leakage.
Bladder retraining may help improve timing, reduce urgency, and support better bladder control.
Kegel exercises may help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve control.
Behavior and Lifestyle Support
Depending on symptoms, care may include bladder training, timed voiding, pelvic floor strengthening, fluid management, reducing bladder irritants, constipation management, and treatment of any infection or obstruction found during evaluation.
Medication-Based Care
Medication may be used when symptoms are bothersome or persistent. The right option depends on medical history, side-effect considerations, other medications, symptom severity, and patient goals.
Treatment should be individualized. Your urologist may consider symptom severity, urgency episodes, leakage, bladder emptying, BPH symptoms, infection history, neurological history, current medications, and quality-of-life impact.
Surgical Treatment of Overactive Bladder
Patients who are severely affected by their overactive bladder and incontinence may require surgery to increase bladder storage and decrease pressure in the bladder. Augmentation cystoplasty, where a segment of the bowel is added to the bladder to increase the bladder size and allow it to store more urine, is the surgery most often performed for this condition.
Surgery may be considered in severe cases to increase bladder storage and decrease pressure in the bladder.
Augmentation cystoplasty uses a segment of bowel to increase bladder size and allow the bladder to store more urine.
Surgery is generally reserved for severe cases and requires careful discussion of benefits, risks, recovery, long-term follow-up, and alternatives.
Ongoing Care for Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder can be a chronic problem. While it can be treated, patients should continue to see their physicians to evaluate progress and monitor for possible complications.
Follow-up visits can help measure symptom improvement and adjust treatment when needed.
Ongoing care can help monitor for complications, worsening symptoms, or new urinary issues.
Contact your doctor if urgency, frequency, leakage, pain, blood in the urine, fever, inability to urinate, or symptoms after treatment become worse or change suddenly.
Common questions about overactive bladder.
These answers are general educational information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. A urologist can evaluate urinary urgency, frequency, leakage, and possible causes.
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder, also known as OAB or urge incontinence, occurs when a person experiences a sudden and frequent urge to urinate that may also be accompanied by urine leakage.
Why does overactive bladder happen?
Overactive bladder happens because the bladder muscles contract at inappropriate times, regardless of how much urine has collected in the bladder.
Who can get overactive bladder?
OAB can happen to anyone at any age, although it is most common in women and the elderly.
What can cause overactive bladder in men?
In men, OAB may result from benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, or bladder obstruction due to an enlarged prostate.
What other conditions can cause OAB symptoms?
Possible causes include drug side effects, nerve damage, neurological disease or stroke, urinary tract infection, cancer, bladder stones, inflammation, or blockage. In some cases, a cause cannot be found.
How is overactive bladder diagnosed?
Diagnosis may include a physical exam, urinalysis, urinary stress test, ultrasound, cystoscopy, and post-void residual test to evaluate bladder function.
How is overactive bladder treated?
Treatment depends on severity, underlying cause, and patient and doctor preferences. Options may include medication, bladder retraining, and Kegel exercises.
When is surgery considered for overactive bladder?
Patients who are severely affected by overactive bladder and incontinence may require surgery to increase bladder storage and decrease pressure in the bladder.
What is augmentation cystoplasty?
Augmentation cystoplasty is a surgery where a segment of the bowel is added to the bladder to increase bladder size and allow it to store more urine.
Does overactive bladder require follow-up?
Yes. Overactive bladder can be a chronic problem. While it can be treated, patients should continue to see their physicians to evaluate progress and monitor for possible complications.
Where can I get overactive bladder care near San Diego?
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides overactive bladder and urge incontinence evaluation in La Mesa, CA, serving patients from San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and nearby communities.
Credible educational references.
The educational information on this page is supported by reputable medical organizations and patient education resources. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Schedule an overactive bladder consultation in La Mesa.
If sudden urinary urgency, frequent urination, urge leakage, nighttime urination, or bladder control symptoms are affecting your daily life, Alvarado La Mesa Urology can evaluate your symptoms and discuss care options.