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.