Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States, and you may be surprised to learn that overactive bladder and incontinence are both symptoms of heart failure. OAB can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, from diabetes to enlarged prostate. However, many people are unaware that it can also be caused by heart issues.
Some symptoms of heart failure don’t directly appear to be related to a heart problem, so it’s easy to see why people often assume that another condition is causing OAB. That’s one reason it’s so important to let your doctor know as soon as you experience new symptoms, even if they’re mild or you assume they’re simply a part of aging.
Common symptoms of heart failure include:
- Bloating
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue
- Swelling in your legs or ankles
- Shortness of breath
- Increased urination
- Coughing
- Weight gain
- Heart palpitations
While heart failure can cause increased urination in general, it’s particularly common at night. If you find yourself getting up several times a night to use the restroom, you could be suffering from nocturia. Nocturia can impact your quality of life in a variety of ways, leading to fatigue, daytime sleepiness and even depression.
If you start to urinate more frequently than usual, lose sleep at night due to excessive urination, experience wetting accidents or feel sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate, contact your urologist right away. While OAB can be caused by less serious conditions, it’s important to get to the root of the problem as soon as possible so you can find some relief.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Do you need to schedule an appointment? Contact us today or book your appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon.
