What
is Overactive Bladder (OAB)? Overactive bladder is a condition defined
as the urgency with or without urge incontinence
, usually with frequency and nocturia. It may cause urinary
frequency and urgency with or without leakage of urine (incontinence).
About 2/3 of the people with OAB are not incontinent.
OAB is a common problem that affects more than 33
million Americans and is more common than diabetes or asthma alone.
It is more common in women than men, and the rate occurrence increases
with age.
There are 2 Sub-Types of OAB:
Detrusor instability or unstable bladder – involuntary
bladder contractions that occur without a known cause
Detrusor hyperreflexia – involuntary
bladder contractions are due to nervous system diseases such
as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
Symptoms may include:
Frequency –
frequent need to urinate
during the day (more than eight times in 24 hours) or night (more
than two times a night)
