Identifying an Overactive Bladder
How does the bladder work?
The bladder is a reservoir that fills with urine produced by the kidneys. When the bladder is full, it sends a signal to the brain, triggering the sensation of “needing to urinate”. Thus, the bladder is controlled by the brain.
Receptors in the bladder wall communicate with the brain, indicating when action is required. The brain sends a message to the bladder muscle, instructing it to either relax (to store urine) or contract (to release urine).
What is an overactive bladder?
It is a clinical syndrome characterized by involuntary bladder muscle contractions, causing sudden and uncontrollable urges to urinate in some individuals. This bladder dysfunction can occur at any time of the day.
Die Symptome
An overactive bladder is defined as a strong urge to urinate, typically accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
Urgent urinary urge
Pollakiuria
Nocturia
Urge incontinence
The urge to urinate is urgent and cannot be suppressed
The urge to urinate occurs more than 8 times a day.
The urge to urinate occurs at least once per night.
The urge to urinate is uncontrollable, resulting in urine leakage
The impact on the quality of life for individuals with this syndrome is significant. During the day, it often leads to embarrassing situations, and nighttime sleep is disrupted by frequent trips to the bathroom.
The overactive bladder syndrome affects men an women of all ages. Studies show that 15% of the population is affected, with prevalence increasing with age. Among older individuals over 75 years old, the percentage of those affected ranges from 30% to 40%.
It is crucial to consult your general practitioner at the first signs. They can guide you and refer you to a specialist who will determine whether tibial nerve stimulation (nervus tibialis posterior) with Tensi + could be a suitable treatment for you.
Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
Your doctor will provide important tips to improve your health, avoid certaain foods, and adjust your drinking habits: weight loss, quitting smoking, reducing black/green tea, herbal tea, and coffee consumption, and limiting total fluid intake to 1-1.5 liters per day.
Behavioral Changes
It is essential to take proactive steps to improve symptoms. Doctors often recommend pelvic floor exercises and regulated urination schedules. Patients with overactive bladder are frequently asked to maintain a urination diary.
Perineal Rehabilitation
Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Stimulating the tibial nerve can help regulate the micturition reflex. Treatment with Tensi + enables patients with overactive bladder to regain control of their bladder.
Medication
Medication blocks the receptors in the bladder muscle (detrusor muscle), preventing unwanted contractions.
Other Treatments Options
Botulinum toxin injections, sacral neuromodulation, and surgery are invasive treatments considered when other therapies have failed.