Overactive Bladder in Men

Of late, you find yourself visiting the restroom quite frequently. You also have the urge to urinate quite often and also at odd times, especially during the night. Sometimes you may also feel the urgency to relieve yourself right in the middle of an important meeting. It is a common complaint of many a man, especially in older men. This is caused because of an overactive bladder. Though this may be quite an embarrassing condition, frequent urination in men may also mean that there is something wrong within the body.

Overactive Bladder: An Overview

The bladder is a bag like structure, and a part of the urinary system in the body. This organ stores urine till it is eliminated from the body. The urinary bladder is richly supplied with nerves and muscles which help in its contraction and relaxation. The muscles are responsible for the passage of urine from the bladder to the urethra for its disposal. At times, the muscles may weaken and give rise to involuntary contractions and spasms. These sudden muscle contractions may increase the urgency for urination. This unstoppable need to relieve oneself is caused due to an overactive bladder, even though the bladder may not be full. This condition is also referred to as urge incontinence, and is a type of urinary incontinence which is caused due unintentional urge to pass urine. This condition can be observed in both men and women, and may occur in older people.

Under normal circumstances, the process of urination, scientifically known as micturition, occurs when the nervous system and the urinary bladder sends signals to each other. Once the bladder is three-fourth full, the nervous system sends the signal for the need to urinate. Unless the person inducts the need for urination, the brain suppresses this feeling. Once the need for urination arises, the brain sends signals to the detrusor muscle, which contracts for the elimination of urine. Till the urine has been expelled completely, the muscle remains in the same position. After becoming empty, the bladder is restored to its original shape. In people suffering from overactive bladder this muscle malfunctions. The detrusor muscle contracts involuntarily, and all of a sudden, making the person rush to the washroom. It catches the person completely off guard and the need to urinate becomes frequent, and urgent, even if it is a trickle.

Causes of Overactive Bladder in Men

The primary reason for experiencing this urinary disorder is over functioning of the detrusor muscle. Spasmodic contractions of this muscle can lead to an impulse for urination. This can result in an overactive bladder.

• Diabetes
• Enlargement of the prostate gland
• Parkinson's disease
• Injury to the spinal cord
• Multiple sclerosis
• Urinary tract infection
• Presence of bladder stones or tumors
• Dementia
• Stroke, which can weaken the elasticity of a muscle due to cut off blood circulation

Overactive Bladder Symptoms

So how can this condition be recognized? As with all the disorders, an overactive bladder also exhibits a few signs observing which, the severity of this condition can be determined. The signs and symptoms of urge incontinence should not be misunderstood as normal signs of aging. Here are some of the symptoms of an overactive bladder in men. Frequent urination, with the urge to urinate at any time during the day or night (nocturia) in one of the common symptoms of this disorder. Some individuals may also suffer from urinary incontinence, where they are unable to control this urge and may pass urine. in case of urinary tract infection, the person may experience a burning sensation, while relieving himself.

Treating an Overactive Bladder

Experiencing bouts of frequent urination at night or during the day is not only annoying, but it may also be an indication of some underlying disorder. It is essential to undergo treatment, which is administered after diagnostic tests to assess the exact condition. Examination of the prostate, urine analysis, an ultrasound of the bladder and a physical exam are performed by the physician. The treatment mainly consists of Kegel exercises, physical therapy and behavioral therapy etc. Training schedule is also used to help the person cope with this urinary system disorder. In some cases, the doctor may also prescribe anticholinergics, a medication which controls the activity of the detrusor muscle.

If you are one of those suffering from this disorder, do not be embarrassed to discuss your condition with a health care provider, who may administer appropriate treatment to relieve this problem. Take care!