After food and drink are processed in the body, metabolic waste will leave the body when you urinate or defecate. The kidneys filter blood to produce urine, which then flows to the bladder for storage before it is expelled.

At times, the bladder can suddenly feel full, creating a strong urge to urinate. This often happens due to a miscommunication between the brain and the bladder. The brain signals that the bladder needs emptying even though it is not actually full. As a result, the bladder keeps contracting, and you feel an urgent need to urinate even when only a small amount comes out.

This pattern of frequent urination is known as overactive bladder. Reported symptoms, as noted by Medical News Today, include:

Frequent urination

You feel compelled to urinate more than eight times in a day, even right after you have gone.

Difficulty sleeping

You have trouble resting and get up to urinate one or two times each night.

Incontinence

Even if you try to ignore the sensation, holding your urine becomes difficult.

With an overactive bladder, you may feel as if you have not completely emptied your bladder. This lingering sensation can be unsettling and uncomfortable.

Although common in adults and older individuals, an overactive bladder is considered an abnormal condition that benefits from treatment. First, understand the causes of an overactive bladder, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic:

Normal Bladder Response

The kidneys create urine, which collects in the bladder. When you urinate, it exits through a passage called the urethra. Muscles around the urethra, known as sphincters, help open the channel so urine can leave the body.

Involuntary Bladder Contractions

Overactive bladder can arise when bladder muscles contract on their own even when the bladder is not full. These contractions trigger the urge to urinate. Some causes include:

• Nervous system disorders such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes
• Urinary tract infections
• Hormonal shifts during menopause
• Bladder tumors or stones
• Prostate enlargement, constipation, or effects after surgery

Other factors that may contribute to an overactive bladder include:

• Taking medicines that boost urine production
• Excess alcohol or caffeine intake
• Declining cognitive function with early aging
• Difficulty walking
• Incomplete bladder emptying

Steps that may help prevent an overactive bladder include:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Exercising regularly
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol
• Quitting smoking
• Staying active and taking prescribed medicines consistently, especially for diabetes
• Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles

If symptoms continue for more than two days, cause significant discomfort, or disrupt sleep, consult a doctor to learn more about your condition and receive appropriate care.

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