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Tomy Perez, MD: Relief for Overactive Bladder (OAB)

by Tomy Perez, MD
Urologist at Boulder Medical Center

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by a sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control. It can significantly impact quality of life and even result in urinary leaking (incontinence) and hygiene concerns. It may also be a sign of other conditions, such as pelvic prolapse in women or enlarged prostate (BPH) in men. The good news is this can be managed effectively with various treatment options.

Symptoms of Overactive Bladder

    • Urgency:  A sudden and intense need to urinate immediately.
    • Frequency:  Urinating more than eight times in 24 hours.
    • Nocturia:  Waking up more than once at night to urinate.
    • Incontinence:  Unintentional loss of urine immediately following an urgent need to urinate.

Dietary Management

Dietary adjustments can play a crucial role in managing overactive bladder symptoms. Here are some dietary strategies that can help manage overactive bladder symptoms:

    • Fluid Management:  Limiting fluid intake, especially before bedtime, can help reduce the frequency of urgent urination.
    • Caffeine and Alcohol Reduction:  These substances can irritate the bladder and exacerbate symptoms. Cutting down on coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol may lead to improvement.
    • Bladder Irritants:  Certain foods, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, and artificial sweeteners, can irritate the bladder. Avoiding or minimizing these in your diet might alleviate symptoms.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on strengthening and improving the function of the muscles that support the bladder and control urination. Techniques include:

    • Kegel Exercises:  These exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can improve bladder control.
    • Biofeedback:  This technique uses sensors to provide feedback on muscle activity, helping patients learn how to control their pelvic floor muscles better.
    • Electrical Stimulation:  Electrical impulses may stimulate pelvic floor muscles, aiding muscle control and reducing urgency.

Medications

Several medications are available to manage overactive bladder symptoms by relaxing the bladder muscle or reducing nerve signals that cause urges:

    • Anticholinergics:  These drugs help relax the bladder muscle and reduce urgency. Examples include oxybutynin, tolterodine, and solifenacin.
    • Beta-3 Agonists:  Medications like Mirabegron work by relaxing the bladder muscle and increasing bladder capacity.
    • Topical Estrogen:  For postmenopausal women, topical estrogen therapy may help improve bladder function by restoring tissue integrity and elasticity.

Surgical Options

For cases of overactive bladder that do not respond to other treatments, or for patients who wish to get off of or limit long-term medications, simple office procedures or surgical interventions are very effective:

    • Sacral Neuromodulation (Interstim):  This procedure involves implanting a device near the sacral nerves to modulate nerve signals between the brain and the bladder.
    • Botox Injections:  Botulinum toxin injections can be administered directly into the bladder muscle to relax it and reduce urgency.

Tomy Perez, MD, board-certified urologist at Boulder Medical Center.

Next Steps for Overactive Bladder Relief

Living with an overactive bladder can be challenging, but with the right approach and support, it is manageable. At Boulder Medical Center, our expert urology team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs. Whether through dietary adjustments, pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, or surgical options, we are committed to helping you regain control and improve your quality of life. Don’t let OAB disrupt your daily routine any longer—schedule a consultation today to explore the best treatment options.

Get to Know Dr. Tomy Perez
Urologist at Boulder Medical Center

Dr. Tomy Perez specializes in improving patients’ quality of life through advanced urologic care. He is skilled in treating a wide range of conditions, including urinary incontinence, BPH, kidney stones, and bladder cancer. His expertise includes Bulkamid and InterStim Therapy for urinary incontinence, laser enucleation for BPH, and robotic surgery for kidney and prostate cancer. Dr. Perez speaks Spanish and welcomes patients to his Boulder clinic.

Urology
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