Overactive Bladder

This is a common condition affecting about 1 in 5 adults. Problems include urgency (the strong desire to rush to pass urine), frequency (going to toilet often) and sometimes urine leakage. The quality of life can be severely affected, e.g. the concern of incontinence and hygiene, limitation in daily activities and the lack of sleep. It can also affect the partner as well. Investigations include the use of bladder diary, urine test to rule out infection, ultrasound scan and bladder function test (urodynamics). Treatment options range from simple measures of bladder training, medication (called anticholinergics), botulinum toxin injection into the bladder muscles and in severe cases, surgery to enlarge the bladder.