CARE ASSISTANT
ITTreating Overactive Bladder
From lifestyle to specialised treatments.
1. Conservative: bladder training and pelvic floor physiotherapy, less caffeine and alcohol. 2. Medical: medicines that relax the bladder muscle. 3. Specialised: botulinum toxin injections into the bladder to calm contractions, or sacral neuromodulation (a stimulator for the bladder nerves).
More Informations
When first-line treatments are not enough: further options exist.
Definition
When training and oral medicines do not bring enough relief, other treatments act directly on the nerves or muscle of the bladder.
Causes
Some overactive bladders respond little to medicines; this is called a refractory form.
Diagnosis
- Failure or intolerance of two classes of medicines, assessed on a voiding diary.
Treatments
Botulinum toxin injections into the bladder (effect lasting several months, repeatable), tibial nerve stimulation with fine needles, or sacral neuromodulation with a small implanted stimulator. The urologist proposes the most suitable option.
During bladder training and treatment, leaks decrease gradually. Adjust the protection over the weeks: Flexi absorbent underwear at first, then a thinner bladder control pad as results come.
Educational content written for families and caregivers. It does not replace a consultation: a doctor, a continence nurse or a physiotherapist makes the diagnosis and chooses the treatment.