Most people nearing retirement after many active years of work are not aware that symptoms like a frequent urge to urinate and leakage could be indicators of underlying serious health issues. The age of 60 is the threshold for people to contract several ailments or be diagnosed with diseases lying dormant or when people simply ignore their symptoms.

At the first instance of a urinary tract infection that causes a frequent urge to urinate and leakage, people should visit their family physician first before consulting a specialist. Normally, the medical regimen begins with a dosage of antibiotics to clear the symptoms before addressing the root of the problem. Doctors recommend patients to control liquid intake – water and caffeine and they may regulate pills and any other medication that could lead to increased urination.

Infection of the urinary tract can result in accumulation of bladder stones apart from an increase in the size of the prostate gland and even tumors in the bladder. Prostate enlargement deteriorates the urinary stream and is the primary cause for urgency and leakage.

Diagnosis begins with the specialist tracing the patient’s medical history including symptoms and its effect on their daily life. Patients should be ready with the list of medicines they have been taking over the years – both over-the-counter and prescription ones. They should be ready to share with their doctors about the nature of the liquid, food, and other beverages they have been consuming regularly.

This will be followed by a physical examination of the pelvis, abdomen, and prostate. When investigations begin, patients will be asked to maintain a diary of their toilet visits to discharge urine in addition to noting the frequency of leakages. The main diagnosis is done by an ultrasound scan of the urinary bladder. This is done to determine the quantity of urine left behind in the bladder after the patient discharges urine in the toilet.

A urine test is done to arrive at any possible infections and to check traces of blood in it. A cystoscopy test is also performed on patients to rule out other likely causes and identify any other causes that too lead to an overactive bladder.

Once a thorough diagnosis is complete, the first line of treatment the doctor recommends is drastic changes in lifestyle. Changes in consuming patterns, type, and quantity of beverages have to be incorporated by patients suffering from an overactive bladder. Bladder strengthening exercises and physiotherapy also are recommended. Medicines and injections are administered, while neuromodulation therapy to stimulate nerves is also recommended.

Patients also have to use devices to prevent or manage their leakage. Adult diapers and sanitary pads are a great boon to people who are affected which helps them to improve their quality of life. Treatment varies from one patient to another and doctors recommend either one or multiple options of therapies and medicines accompanied by lifestyle changes. People with an overactive bladder might find it complex to manage the condition, but the right treatment and a positive attitude can bring them back to a more comfortable situation than earlier.

Medications, including anticholinergic and antidepressants, can also cause side effects like blurred vision, mouth drying up, anxiety and fatigue. Regular consultation with specialists can help patients cope with this.