Treat the Symptoms

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K. Jeff Carney, MD
We have several treatment options for overactive bladder. The medications we use can have harsh side effects, so we prefer to start with a more natural and gentle approach. The first thing we ask patients to do is generally to maintain a urinary log, where they document the amount of fluid they take in during the day

K. Jeff Carney, MD cont
and the number of trips to the bathroom which they make. Additionally, we ask them to make dietary changes and to stop smoking. We encourage them to lose weight, especially if they have a tendency to carry weight in their midsection. And we encourage them to develop healthy bowel habits and avoid constipation,

K. Jeff Carney, MD cont
because constipation places added pressure on the bladder. If these don't work, then we go to various medication options such as hormones. We're even using botox now on the bladder to treat overactive bladder. And if this doesn't work, we go to neuromodulation,

K. Jeff Carney, MD cont
which is a technique we use to calm the nerves that go to the bladder. And we save our surgical options for the very end.