Irritable bladder is a form of incontinence. Those affected often suffer from a very sudden, urgent urge to urinate despite a slightly full bladder.
This results in an above-average frequency of bladder emptying in small amounts (also known as pollakiuria). Involuntary urination is also possible. Other names for irritable bladder are hyperactive or overactive bladder.
With an overactive bladder, the brain mistakenly receives the command to empty the bladder, even though the bladder is not yet full. The bladder wall muscles contract, causing the sudden urge to urinate that is typical of an overactive bladder.
In principle, an irritable bladder is present if those affected
- more than eight times a day and
- more than twice at night
have to empty their bladder.
Irritable bladder syndrome is a common condition that can occur in all age groups and in both sexes. Millions of adults in Germany suffer from an overactive bladder.
However, women - especially between the ages of 30 and 50 - are affected far more frequently than men.
The exact causes of an irritable bladder are still unknown. In women, hormonal changes and hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or the menopause could be responsible for an overactive bladder.
Other possible causes include cold and wetting stimuli as well as psychological and emotional stresses such as
- stress,
- nervousness and
- anxiety.
In addition, an irritable bladder can also occur as a side effect of diuretics or other medication.
Diseases that can be accompanied by an overactive bladder include
The following diseases are also possible causes of an irritable bladder:
- Chronic infections,
- urinary stones,
- instability, overactivity or incorrect control of the bladder muscle and
- coordination disorders of the pelvic floor and bladder muscles.
The main symptom of an irritable bladder is a sudden, urgent urge to urinate, even though the bladder is only slightly full.
Those affected therefore urinate more frequently than average and only pass small amounts of urine. They often wake up at night to go to the toilet. The interruptions to sleep have a significant impact on their well-being.
Involuntary urination can also occur in those affected. This often occurs during sudden physical exertion and jerky movements, for example when coughing.
- coughing,
- sneezing,
- laughing,
- lifting or
- carrying.
This form of irritable bladder is also referred to as stress incontinence.
The frequent trips to the toilet and interrupted sleep can have a dramatic impact on quality of life.
Sudden strong urge to urinate is the main symptom of an irritable bladder © 9nong | AdobeStock
The diagnosis is made by means of so-called exclusion diagnostics. The treating urologist carries out a series of examinations. The aim is to rule out organic or physical causes of the symptoms. In the end, the only remaining diagnosis is irritable bladder.
The examinations that are carried out as part of this exclusion diagnosis include
Bladder pressure can also be measured. This makes it possible to determine how much urine the bladder can store and whether the bladder muscles are working properly.
Keeping a micturition diary can also be helpful in making a clear diagnosis of irritable bladder syndrome. In this diary, the affected person notes, among other things, in which situations and how often the urge to urinate occurs and how much they drink each day.
Various measures can be used to treat an irritable bladder. These include targeted pelvic floor training and so-called bladder or continence training.
In many people, psychological or emotional stress or conflict situations cause the sudden urge to urinate. This is why psychotherapy can also help if necessary.
In addition, the following can also help
- medication,
- relaxation exercises and
- warm sitz baths
can also alleviate the symptoms of an irritable bladder.
Preventing an irritable bladder includes, among other things
Bladder and continence training
The aim of bladder and continence training is for those affected to specifically train their bladder muscles. This enables them to learn to control their urge to urinate.
As part of this type of training, the person concerned specifically suppresses their urge to urinate. In this way, they try to delay going to the toilet and emptying their bladder for as long as possible.
They also set regular times when they go to the toilet.
In the case of an irritable bladder, the bladder muscles can also be trained by drinking a lot. This allows the person affected to increase the bladder's capacity.
Drug treatment
Medication can also provide relief from an irritable bladder and improve bladder function. These include herbal preparations such as capsules with
- cranberry,
- bearberry leaves or
- ingredients from pumpkins.
Anticholinergics or spasmolytics are also often used to treat an irritable bladder. They are intended to relax the bladder muscles.
Anticholinergics are drugs that act on the bladder muscles and the nervous system to relax the bladder muscles. Spasmolytics are drugs that reduce the bladder muscle's ability to contract.
Women with an overactive bladder can also be treated with preparations containing oestrogen.
