Caused by multiple health and medical factors, an overactive bladder leads to frequent and sudden urge to urinate. This can obstruct one’s ability to lead a normal, active lifestyle. Depending on the age and causes of the condition, a suitable treatment option is recommended by doctors. Also, understanding what triggers an overactive bladder can help an individual take preventive measures.

What triggers an overactive bladder?

• Caffeine overload
  Caffeine is harmless for most healthy individuals in moderate amounts, but people with an overactive bladder might experience worsening of the symptoms if their daily caffeine intake increases. Caffeine is present in beverages like coffee and tea, along with chocolates and such other foods. One might notice similar effects if they are on stimulants or supplements that contain caffeine.
• Hypertension medication
  Urinary incontinence is a common side effect among people who are on regular hypertension medications, as the consumption of alpha-blockers in any form causes bladder relaxation. Medicines prescribed to people with heart conditions might also meddle with bladder activity sometimes.
• Alcohol in blood
  Alcohol, in general, might increase the frequency of urination, and people already experiencing urinary incontinence or poor bladder control might experience worsening of the symptoms due to alcohol consumption. This is because the kidneys need to work overtime, leading to high levels of urine formed in the body after alcohol consumption. Also, some alcoholic beverages might lead to more severe effects than others.
• Pelvic muscle weakness
  The pelvic muscles can weaken due to several reasons, and patients are advised to follow pelvic floor exercises regularly to cope with this. Skipping these exercises can have a drastic effect on one’s bladder activity. Kegels and other exercises should be followed to strengthen the core muscles and improve bladder control. This is also an effective treatment method for urinary incontinence induced by medications and other temporary causes.
• Infections
  For anyone trying to understand what triggers an overactive bladder, the relationship between urinary tract infections and bladder control is a topic worth understanding. Another type of infection that can lead to bladder hyperactivity is nerve damage that results from infections caused in the central nervous system.
• Bodyweight issues
  Being overweight increases the risk of an overactive bladder, and people with a high BMI often experience this condition. Reducing body weight can be an effective way to reduce the risk and manage any existing symptoms. Following regular exercises for physical fitness and pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles can help to a great extent.

After understanding what triggers an overactive bladder, one can keep a close watch on their diet and lifestyle to lower the risk of overactive bladder. It also ensures that one’s daily activities are not hampered by the frequent need to rush to the restroom.