Overactive Bladder Specialists
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition characterized by a sudden, urgent need to urinate. It affects more than 33 million Americans and is highly treatable.
About Overactive Bladder
OAB occurs when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily, creating an urgent need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full. It can occur with or without urge incontinence. While not dangerous, OAB significantly impacts quality of life, sleep, and daily activities.
Signs & Symptoms
- ✓ Sudden, intense urge to urinate
- ✓ Urinating 8 or more times in 24 hours
- ✓ Waking at night to urinate (nocturia)
- ✓ Urge incontinence (leakage before reaching the bathroom)
Treatment Options
- ✓ Bladder training and timed voiding
- ✓ Fluid and diet modification
- ✓ Pelvic floor therapy
- ✓ Anticholinergic medications (oxybutynin, solifenacin)
- ✓ Beta-3 agonist (mirabegron)
- ✓ Botox bladder injections
- ✓ Tibial nerve stimulation
- ✓ Sacral nerve stimulation (InterStim)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overactive bladder the same as urinary incontinence?
OAB and urge incontinence are related but different. OAB refers to urgency and frequency with or without leakage. Some patients have OAB with no leakage (dry OAB), others have OAB with leakage (wet OAB).
What foods and drinks make overactive bladder worse?
Caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, artificial sweeteners, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and spicy foods are common bladder irritants. Reducing these can significantly improve OAB symptoms.
Are OAB medications safe for older adults?
Some anticholinergic OAB medications have cognitive side effects in older adults. Mirabegron is generally preferred as first-line in the elderly. Your urologist will select the safest option based on your other medications and health conditions.
Urologists Who Treat Overactive Bladder
Dr. Neil Stein, MD
Urology
Dr. Bert Spence, MD
Urology
Dr. Gary Carl, MD
Urology
Dr. Victor Carpiniello, MD
Urology
Dr. Chase Sovell, MD
Urology
Dr. Gavin Stormont
Urology
Dr. Ronald Cercone, MD
Urology
Dr. Neil Bander, MD
Urology
Dr. Pooja Srikanth, MD
Urology
Dr. Michael Strigenz, MD
Anesthesiology
Dr. William Blank, MD
Urology
Dr. Philip Sweetser, MD
Urology
Dr. Helmer Swenson, MD
Urology
Dr. Joshua Broghammer, MD
Urology
Dr. Arturo Canto, MD
Urology
Dr. Thomas Stormont, MD
Urology
Dr. David Streitz, MD
Urology
Dr. Basir Tareen, MD
Urology
Dr. Leila Tabibian, MD
Urology
Dr. Dean Tortorelis, MD
Urology
Dr. Michael Tran, MD
Urology
Dr. Kevin Unger, MD
Urology
Dr. Caner Dinlenc, MD
Urology
Dr. Sierra Tolbert, MD
Urology
Disclaimer
The material on this page is intended to be an educational resource only and is not meant to be a warranty or to replace a conversation between a patient and their physician or member of their health care team. Please consult a physician for a complete list of indications, contraindications, precautions, warnings, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to this procedure. The decision to receive medical treatment is individualized to the patient and the patient's symptoms. The information presented on this site may not apply to your condition, treatment or its outcome, as surgical techniques vary and complications can occur. It is important to discuss the viability of any surgical procedure with a physician to decide the right treatment option. Provider data sourced from the NPPES NPI Registry (CMS).