10 Jan Know Overactive Bladder Risk Factors

Although risk factors do not mean that you suffer from overactive bladder syndrome, their presence favors the development of the disease, as well as its manifestation more aggressively. Know the main risk factors for overactive bladder according to doctor José Santos Dias, urologist and director of the Institute of Prostate and Urinary Incontinence.
 
Although not all risk factors are fully explained by science, they have an influence “on the neurological control of the bladder, the pressure exerted on the bladder, making it difficult to empty and altering the characteristics of the bladder wall tissues,” he explains. the responsable. Some of these factors include:
 
1. Being obese: Having a high body mass index is associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure, which weakens the pelvic floor. Excess fat can also cause bladder inflammation, which leads to increased urinary urgency.

2. Having diabetes mellitus: While the most common manifestation of nerve end damage associated with diabetes is the diabetic foot, the bladder can also be affected, losing the ability to perceive that it is full. Your muscles no longer allow complete emptying, which can lead to urinary urgency.

3. Having depression: Urinary urgency alone can lead to depressive conditions. In addition, decreased noradrenaline and serotonin levels may develop overactive bladder syndrome through lack of detrusor muscle relaxation.

4. Having a neurological disease: Because the central nervous system controls the storage of urine, neurological diseases can cause incontinence, urgency, frequency and changes in urinary flow.

5. Being the target of pelvic surgery: Some surgeries may favor overactive bladder syndrome by changing the pelvic floor. For women, it is mainly the case of hysterectomy, removal of the uterus, whereas in men surgical treatment for cancer or benign prostate hyperplasia is the intervention that contributes the most to the development of the disease, even if temporarily, due to scientific advances.

6. Over 75: Pelvic muscle weakness is associated with increased sensitivity to bladder urine volume and urethral resistance, which may lead to overactive bladder or urinary incontinence.

7. Being Caucasian: Studies suggest that Caucasian women are more likely to develop the disease, which may be explained by differences in the urinary tract, such as a shorter urethra or weaker pelvic muscles.