Introduction

Read this comprehensive introductory patient guide to urinary incontinence.

Overactive bladder Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing and frustrating problem that affects many people, more commonly the elderly. When urine is produced in the kidneys, it is stored in the bladder for controlled discharge. The slight need to urinate is sensed when urine volume reaches about one-half of the bladder's capacity. The brain suppresses this need until a person initiates urination. Once urination has been initiated, the nervous system signals the detrusor muscle to contract into a funnel shape and expel the urine. Overactive Bladder In overactive bladder - the layered, smooth muscle that surrounds the bladder (detrusor muscle) contracts spastically, sometimes without a known cause, and results in sustained, high bladder pressure and the urgent need to urinate (called urgency). Aniticholinergic Action Drugs called Anticholinergics are administered for the treatment of overactive bladder. These drugs affect the nerve endings of the bladder and relax the bladder muscle, thereby reducing accidents.

Get facts on symptoms, treatment and prevention of neurogenic bladder.