Overactive bladder: not just a normal part of getting older.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common yet under-reported condition affecting both men and women. Prevalence rises with age, but OAB can affect people of any age. It is associated with increased physical and mental health problems and may lead to social isolation and escalating care needs. It is a clinical diagnosis with symptoms of urgency, with or without urge incontinence and usually with urinary frequency and nocturia. Management includes conservative, medical and surgical treatments, which can significantly improve quality of life. This review aims to raise awareness of this under-reported condition and to empower health professionals to open discussions on bladder health with all those in their care.

British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing). 2022 Oct 13 [Epub]

Lucy Carpenter, Nicholas J Campain

Specialist Registrar, Department of Healthcare for Older People, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust., Consultant Urologist, Department of Urology, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.