An overactive bladder (OAB) is not a singular disorder but a group of urinary symptoms, the most prominent one of which is a sudden and uncontrolled urge to urinate. There are several factors that cause an overactive bladder, some of which include an enlarged prostate, diabetes, and even aging. This condition is particularly difficult to manage as it affects a person’s overall lifestyle and their ability to perform daily activities with ease.

There are several treatment options that can be considered to control these symptoms, most of which depend on the intensity of the condition. Some of them are listed below:

• Lifestyle changes
  The first thing that a person with an overactive bladder should do before seeking any other form of treatment is make some primary changes in their diet and lifestyle. Some of these measures include losing excess weight, ensuring a balanced water intake, and development of better bowel habits. Some other measures also include avoiding foods that contain artificial additives as well as limiting the intake of tomatoes, citrus fruits, and spicy foods.
• Anticholinergic drugs
  Anticholinergic drugs are specifically used to control muscle spasms. They can help control the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Other forms of medications, such as antidepressants, antidiuretics, and antimuscarinics, are also used to counter specific symptoms of this condition.
• Natural remedies
  There are certain natural remedies and techniques that can be used to control the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Including corn silk, cleavers, ganoderma lucidum (a herb), and Gosha-jinki-gan (a blend of several herbs) in your diet can also help curb symptoms of OAB.
• Pelvic floor exercises
  Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, are designed to help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. These are specifically helpful in countering symptoms of an overactive bladder when the condition stems from stress-related incontinence, and can help the person stick to a voiding schedule without feeling the uncontrollable urge to urinate at other times. When recommended by the doctor, these exercises should be practised regularly for effective results.
• Bladder training

Bladder training is the process of strengthening your mind and training your pelvic muscles to be able to hold in urine for longer periods of time, and for wiring the body’s natural cycle such that the urge to urinate is felt only at specific times throughout the day. This technique is extremely crucial for those who have to work out of an office or on the field.

• Surgery
  This form of treatment is recommended to those who have exhausted all other means of remedying their bladder situation and continue to show significant symptoms. Surgery can be used to increase bladder capacity; in severe cases, a bladder removal surgery can also be performed.