An Overactive Bladder (OAB) is caused when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily.  This may result in feelings of urgently having to go to the bathroom - even when the bladder isn't full - as well as making frequent trips to the bathroom.  In some instances, accidental leakage of urine occurs.  Overactive Bladder and other bladder control problems are medical conditions that prevent you from being able to control when you urinate.

Overactive Bladder is characterized by the following symptoms:

·    strong, sudden urges to go to the bathroom

·    increased frequency of urination (more than eight times during a 24-hour period, often including two or more times at night)

These feelings may or may not be accompanied by:

·    wetting accidents due to a sudden urge to urinate; this is also known as urge urinary incontinence

You are not alone in living with a bladder control problem.  An estimated 1 in 5 Canadians over the age of 35 share these problems.  While there is no consensus on all the different causes of OAB, one thing is certain: OAB is not normal in adults of any age, and you don't have to live with it.  Most OAB can be successfully treated.  Doctors treat thousands of people with OAB every year.