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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.<\/p>\n
Overactive bladder (OAB)<\/a> can cause a sudden, intense urge to urinate that\u2019s difficult to control. You might feel the need to go even when your bladder isn\u2019t full, leading to frequent trips to the bathroom.<\/p>\n The exact cause of OAB isn\u2019t always clear, and certain medical conditions or treatments can contribute to urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia or OAB-like symptoms. <\/p>\n Although overactive bladder is more common in older adults, it isn\u2019t considered a normal part of aging. Seeking treatment can help improve your symptoms and quality of life.<\/p>\n Here are five medical conditions that can contribute to OAB-like symptoms or make symptoms of OAB worse.<\/p>\n 1. Cardiovascular disease<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure<\/a>, heart failure<\/a> and stroke<\/a>, can contribute to or worsen OAB. Reduced blood flow to the bladder (bladder ischemia) can lead to low oxygen levels<\/a> in bladder tissues, which may damage nerves and cause oversensitive muscles.<\/p>\n Medications that treat these conditions can also play a role. Diuretics (\u201cwater pills\u201d), which are commonly prescribed to manage high blood pressure<\/a> and heart failure, can increase urine production<\/a>, possibly leading to frequency and urgency that can mimic OAB or worsen already-existing overactive bladder. Other medications, such as calcium<\/a> channel blockers, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, may also contribute to frequent urination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 2. Kidney disease<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Chronic kidney disease (CKD)<\/a> can be associated with changes in urination, including urinating more or less than usual, especially as kidney function changes.<\/p>\n Medications for CKD or conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes<\/a>, such as diuretics and SGLT2 inhibitors, can increase how much urine your body makes and possibly worsen OAB symptoms. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 3. Diabetes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Diabetes<\/a> can significantly increase the risk of OAB. High blood sugar levels can cause diabetic neuropathy<\/a>, affecting nerves that control the bladder. Over time, nerve damage can lead to a weak bladder that cannot store or empty urine properly.<\/p>\n Excess glucose in the bloodstream can also cause the kidneys to overproduce urine, increasing urinary urgency and frequency.<\/p>\n Some diabetes medications, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and, in some cases, metformin, can also contribute to OAB symptoms. SGLT2 inhibitors, for example, can help flush excess glucose (sugar) and water<\/a> into the urine, leading to more frequent urination. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 5. Neurological disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Neurological conditions \u2014 including Parkinson\u2019s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, dementia and spinal cord injuries \u2014 can cause OAB-like symptoms through neurogenic bladder<\/a>, a condition in your bladder caused by damaged nerves.<\/p>\n Neurogenic bladder occurs when an injury or disease disrupts the electrical signals between the nervous system and bladder. The interruption can affect how the bladder stores or empties urine.<\/p>\n\n\n
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