Overactive Bladder? Take Steps To Prioritize Your Health

More than 33 million Americans suffer from an overactive bladder. Thankfully there are proven steps to lessen the discomfort

By The LifeMinute Team

November 4, 2016

Overactive bladder is characterized by a sudden spasming where the bladder will suddenly squeeze without your knowledge or desire. "It's that uncomfortable, 'gotta-go' feeling," says Dr. Michael Kennelly, a specialist in overactive bladders. This leads to frequent trips to the bathroom, which can be distressing. Also bothersome is when the bladder leaks without your knowledge or desire. "That's a call to action," says Kennelly. "It makes women say that they need to see a physician."

Educate Yourself

"One of the reasons we thought it was so important to talk about this issue is the education piece of the puzzle. So many people in the United States are struggling with this condition, but it's not something that you often hear people talk about," says Lynya Floyd, Health Director at Family Circle Magazine. Maybe you have it and don't even realize it, or maybe you have it and have been struggling with the symptoms by masking them, trying to figure out work-arounds. "But there is a lot you can do to treat it. And number one is to talk to a physician. Go see a specialist so you can get an accurate diagnosis and talk through all your treatment options," she suggests.

Get Serious

Shockingly, women typically wait 5 to 7 years before they are seen by a healthcare provider. They then start some self-help therapies such as dietary modifications or perhaps a prescribed medication. The problem is that sometimes these therapies aren't meeting the need. The medicine may have adverse effects. "But you shouldn't give up at this point, because there are new therapies, maybe going to an OAB specialist for something like Botox, lifestyle changes, or medicine...these have all been beneficial," says Kennelly.

Put Your Health First

So whether you've never talked to a doctor about this before or you have, but you're not experiencing good results from the treatments you've gotten in the past, put yourself first, make an appointment and talk to a specialist about your condition. "One place you can go about this condition is botoxforOAB.com. At that site you can not only find a specialist in your area, by going in to put in your zip code, but you can download journals where you can track your symptoms, really great starting points for talking about what's going on with you with your doctor," says Floyd.

In addition, you can also find downloads to start the discussion with your doctor to check off different experiences you're having in order to start the conversation about what you can do in order to improve your well-being," says Floyd.

Proven Therapy

Using newer therapies such as Botox, which are non-medicine based, are proven to have great results, to decrease urgency and and frequency, whereas up to 31% of patients actually can be dry with one treatment that normally lasts upwards of six months," says Kennelly, who adds that this therapy has minimal side effects.

"The key is to get the correct diagnosis, see an OAB specialist, don't settle if things aren't working and treat your health as the primary aspect. Then you'll see great success," he says.

For more information go to botoxforOAB.com.

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