The term overactive bladder refers to a set of urinary problems that occur when a person loses control over their bladder. Aside from the organ squeezing and expelling urine frequently, with or without any warning, it also triggers involuntary loss of urine that is commonly known as incontinence. Many people living with these symptoms feel embarrassed and do not ask for help. It is important to understand the early signs and causes of overactive bladder to treat the condition effectively.

Early signs and symptoms of overactive bladder
The most common signs include:

• Urgent and uncontrollable need to urinate
• Involuntary loss of urine, occurring frequently
• Urge to urinate more than eight times in twenty-four hours
• Waking up several times at night to urinate. This condition is known as nocturia
• Feeling that the bladder isn’t completely empty
• After using the restroom, the patient has the urge to go again after a very short time
• When a person experiences urine leakage regularly
• When a person experiences a sudden urge to urinate and rarely makes it to the restroom

Causes of overactive bladder
It must be understood that early signs and causes of an overactive bladder are in no way connected to merely being old or linked to just prostate issues. The condition occurs when the urinary bladder muscles begin to contract involuntarily, even if the amount of urine is not much in the bladder.

Some of the causes of an overactive bladder that lead to various signs and symptoms are:

• Drinking too much fluid
• Consuming medications that increase urine production
• Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or any other bladder irritants
• Inability to empty the bladder
• Abnormalities in the bladder such as stones in the urinary bladder or tumors
• Urinary tract infections
• No proper coordination of the nerve signals between the urinary bladder and brain
• Certain neurological disorders, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. can lead to nerve damage and an overactive bladder
• Diabetes
• Hormonal changes, such as estrogen deficiency, especially after menopause in women
• Causes that block bladder outflow, such as an enlarged prostate, constipation, or previous surgeries that have been performed to treat other forms of incontinence
• Weak pelvic muscles can also be one significant cause. Pregnancy and childbirth can often cause these pelvic muscles to stretch and weaken, resulting in leakage
• Being overweight puts more pressure on the bladder, sometimes leading to incontinence

Overactive bladder is found to be more common in women than in men. Some tools can help the person assess and understand early signs as well as the causes of overactive bladder. However, it is very important to consult a physician without any hesitation to ensure you get the correct diagnosis. Making a few lifestyle changes also can help the person to handle the condition effectively.