5 Chronic Conditions That Can Worsen Overactive Bladder

Do you find yourself running to the bathroom more often than usual during the day or waking up in the middle of the night to go? Frequent urination can be more than just annoying and disruptive. It could also signal an underlying medical condition.Overactive bladder (OAB) can cause a sudden, intense urge to urinate that’s difficult to control. You might feel the need to go even when your bladder isn’t full, leading to frequent trips to the bathroom.The exact cause of OAB isn’t always clear, and certain medical conditions or treatments can contribute to urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia or OAB-like symptoms. Although overactive bladder is more common in older adults, it isn’t considered a normal part of aging. Seeking treatment can help improve your symptoms and quality of life.Here are five medical conditions that can contribute to OAB-like symptoms or make symptoms of OAB worse. 1. Cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke, can contribute to or worsen OAB. Reduced blood flow to the bladder (bladder ischemia) can lead to low oxygen levels in bladder tissues, which may damage nerves and cause oversensitive muscles. Med...