Causes and Diagnoses

Overactive Bladder Causes and Diagnoses

There are many things that can cause OAB, including:
  • Age: OAB is more common in older adults, but it can affect young adults and teens too.
  • Constipation
  • Medications: Some, like decongestants and diuretics, can make OAB worse.
  • Medical Conditions: such as:
    • Diabetes
    • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Bladder stones
    • Kidney disease
    • Enlarged prostate
    • Bladder cancer
    • Obstructive sleep apnea (if nighttime urination is the main concern)
  • Lifestyle factors: Stress, caffeine, alcohol and smoking can cause OAB.
Diagnosing OAB
Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and health history. You may also have one or more of these tests:
  • Urine test. We will take a sample and check for issues, like infection.
  • Urinary diary. You record how much fluid you drink and how much you urinate for 3 days.
  • Bladder ultrasound. This studies the bladder as it empties. Ultrasound uses sound waves to make detailed images of the inside of the body.
  • Cystoscopy. This test lets the doctor look for problems in your urinary tract. The test uses a thin, flexible scope (cystoscope) with a light and camera on the end. The scope is put into the tube that takes urine out of your body (urethra).
  • Urodynamic studies. This is a group of tests. They measure and record different parts about how your bladder works, including pressures, volume, and urine flow.