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8 early warning signs of an overactive bladder

8 early warning signs of an overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a term that encompasses a group of urinary symptoms. It is not categorized as a disease, but it could make participating in everyday activities at home, work, or school a little more challenging. The condition may occur due to factors like age, health conditions, and other environmental influences. One needs to know about these eight early signs and symptoms of OAB, as it could help get the right treatment options.

1. Urinary urgency (dysuria)
One of the first signs of an overactive bladder is abnormally frequent urination, termed urinary urgency. A stinging, burning, or itchy feeling usually accompanies the discomfort caused by the symptom. Urinary urgency makes an individual feel a strong urge to urinate and makes them feel like a leak may happen if they do not go to the bathroom immediately.

2. Urge incontinence
Sometimes, when an individual has an overactive bladder, they might leak urine, which is known as urge incontinence. The sign makes them feel a sudden and urgent need to use the restroom. One may also leak urine when sneezing, doing physical activity, or laughing. This may also occur due to certain treatment options, changes in eating habits, and infections. Experts may recommend pelvic floor exercises and therapies like nerve stimulation to manage the symptoms.

3. Frequent peeing
An individual might experience the urge to urinate more if they drink too many liquids throughout the day. However, if they do not do this and still pass urine frequently, it might indicate an overactive bladder. The individual might need to pee more often than average, which is about seven to eight times throughout the day. It could happen to anyone but is more common in people over 70, pregnant individuals, and others with an enlarged prostate.

4. Nocturia
Another symptom of an overactive bladder is nocturia. People affected by this wake up more than once a night because they must pass urine. It might occur when an individual drinks too much fluid. One may also experience nocturia if they have bladder obstructions or sleep disorders. Once diagnosed, an expert may recommend certain treatment methods and fluid restrictions to reduce the symptoms of OAB.

5. Enuresis
Urinary incontinence (enuresis) is a health-related term for bedwetting. Incontinence is the accidental or intentional urination of children at an age where they should have control of their bladders. This sign might be noticed in boys older than six and girls over six. One should look for various types of bedwetting, including wetting during the day, at night, or when the child has never fully mastered toilet training. It may also occur when the child has a period of dryness but then starts to experience enuresis once more. These signs should be diagnosed by an expert immediately.

6. Bladder spasms
Normally, the bladder slowly fills with urine, and the individual becomes aware of the need to urinate. However, people with bladder spasms might feel the need to urinate urgently. It might lead to involuntary squeezing of the bladder muscle without warning, causing an urgent need to release urine. The spasm may force urine from the bladder, causing leakage. Those with bladder spasms describe them as burning sensations.

7. Pain in the bladder muscle layers
Sometimes, people with overactive bladders may experience pain in the muscle layers. This might result from an underlying condition such as interstitial cystitis (IC), a complex condition identified by inflammation of the bladder muscle layers. The complication may also lead to frequent urination, urgency, incontinence, pelvic and abdominal pain, and pressure. It is also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), bladder pain syndrome (BPS), and chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

8. Blood in urine
People with OAB may notice blood mixed in their urine. This may occur due to underlying health conditions, such as cancer, or might be an indicator of a urinary tract disease. If one notices these signs along with an overactive bladder, one should speak to an expert about conducting a diagnosis. The professional may carry out a small ultrasound to determine the cause of the symptom and recommend the necessary course of treatment.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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8 common early symptoms of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that can make one feel extremely drowsy during the day. Those affected also find it harder to stay awake for longer periods and consequently experience trouble carrying out daily tasks. Narcolepsy can be managed with prescriptions and other remedies, with early treatment helping control symptoms that affect daily routine. So, here are early warning signs of narcolepsy that should prompt one to seek medical intervention: 1. Excessive daytime sleepiness One of the most visible early warning signs of narcolepsy is feeling excessively sleepy during the day. Further, one may fall asleep without warning anytime and anywhere. For instance, one might be working or talking to their friends and fall asleep out of the blue. They may stay asleep for a few minutes or up to half an hour. While they might feel refreshed when they wake up, the symptoms might return soon after. 2. Automatic behavior Those with narcolepsy may continue to function even through their episodes of sleep, such as talking or putting away things. However, they may have no memory of performing these tasks once awake. These activities may also be routine activities that one typically carries out while awake. Studies show that about 40% of people with narcolepsy experience episodes of such automatic behavior. Here, one may also act out in their dreams at night by kicking, screaming, and flailing their arms. 3. Changes in sleep Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the period in which most of the dreaming takes place. One usually enters this phase about 60 to 90 minutes after falling asleep. However, those affected by narcolepsy usually progress to REM sleep much sooner. They might enter REM sleep within 15 minutes of going to bed. Moreover, this might occur at any time of the day. 4. Sudden loss of muscle tone Those with narcolepsy may also experience the sudden loss of muscle tone called cataplexy. Experts indicate that this issue is often triggered by intense emotions, including laughter or excitement. However, some might experience it as a result of fear, surprise, or anger. For example, when one laughs, their head may drop without control, or their knees may suddenly lose strength, making them fall. This brief muscle weakness might last up to a few minutes and cannot be controlled. While some with narcolepsy may experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, others may have several episodes in a day. 5. Sleep paralysis One may also experience sleep paralysis as an early sign of narcolepsy. Here, one is usually unable to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking up. The symptom is usually brief and may last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. This might be a startling symptom, as one might be aware of it happening and can recall it afterward. However, not everyone with the condition experiences sleep paralysis.  6. Hallucinations When dealing with narcolepsy, one might start to see things that are not real (i.e., they hallucinate). The phenomenon may also develop simultaneously with other symptoms like sleep paralysis. Known as hypnagogic hallucinations, these usually develop as one falls asleep. If these hallucinations develop when one is walking, the phenomenon is known as hypnopompic hallucination. For example, one might feel as if there is a stranger in their bedroom. Here, one may not be completely asleep when they begin hallucinating, which, over time, could affect their mental well-being. 7. Changes in behavior Mental health issues have been linked to narcolepsy. While the exact relationship remains unclear, studies have shown there is a higher risk of conditions like depression in those with narcolepsy than those without. So, narcolepsy may affect mood, causing changes like irritability. Other commonly associated symptoms include seeming distracted or uninterested in activities that one enjoyed earlier, intense sleepiness, and trouble making decisions. 8. Fatigue Those with narcolepsy might also experience symptoms like intense fatigue and a lack of energy. As the disorder can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, one might find it hard to stay awake during the day or even wake up multiple times at night. This might affect their ability to get proper rest and ultimately cause a loss of energy.  If one notices any of these symptoms, they must consult a doctor to seek appropriate treatment.

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