Urgeinkontinens

Urgeincontinence, also known as overactive bladder syndrome, is a condition characterized by a sudden, strong, and often uncontrollable urge to urinate. This urge can be so intense that it leads to involuntary leakage of urine, known as urge incontinence. People with urge incontinence may experience frequent urination throughout the day and night, and often feel the need to urinate more than eight times in a 24-hour period.

The underlying cause of urge incontinence is typically an overactive detrusor muscle, the muscular layer of the bladder wall. When this muscle contracts involuntarily, it creates the sudden urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full. Various factors can contribute to detrusor overactivity, including neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, as well as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or tumors. In some cases, the cause may remain unknown, termed idiopathic urge incontinence.

Diagnosis usually involves a medical history, physical examination, and sometimes tests like a urinalysis to rule out infection, a bladder diary to track fluid intake and urination patterns, and urodynamic studies to assess bladder function. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and cause of the condition. Lifestyle modifications such as fluid management, dietary changes, and bladder training exercises are often the first line of treatment. Medications, particularly anticholinergics and beta-3 agonists, can help relax the bladder muscle and reduce involuntary contractions. In more severe or refractory cases, advanced therapies like sacral neuromodulation or Botox injections into the bladder muscle may be considered.