Tips for Talking to Your Doctor about OAB

If you've got urinary symptoms, make bladder worries the main target of your next doctor appointment.

Overactive bladder is a common problem. Generally, people wait seven years prior to seeking treatment for urinary control problems, according to a recently available survey by the National Association For Continence. If you've got OAB, these basic steps from Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, Missouri will help you get the best results from your next doctor's appointment.

1. See an expert. Your primary care physician could be a good place to start. Nevertheless, not all doctors are well-trained in diagnosing and treating incontinence. If your family doctor or gynecologist isn't, consider going to Metropolitan Urological Specialists if you live in St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, Kirkwood, Crestwood, Chesterfield, or Washington, Missouri.

2. Take note. One of the most important things to do is log your bathroom habits. This gives your physician an extensive picture of the symptoms you're experiencing and can help her get right to the source of the problem. Keep a bladder diary for two or three days prior to your visit. In it, note:

•   when you urinate,
•   whether you urinate a lot or a little every time,
•   what you eat and drink throughout each day,
•   the number of accidents you experience,
•   activities that seem to lead to leakages, and
•   whether each leak is small, moderate, or large.
In addition to a bladder diary, give your doctor a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter and herbal products. Also, list medical procedures you have had (including vaginal births).

3. Know yourself. Create a list of the 3 to 5 most annoying problems related to your bladder problems and share it during your appointment. Maybe you do not leave home without knowing the precise location of every toilet along your route or you no longer get involved in activities that you enjoy, like tennis or golf.

4. Set goals. Come into your appointment with a couple of very clear goals in mind. Maybe you want to be taken seriously or you want to leave the office with a game plan, or you have a very personal goal, like being able to wear white pants without fear of leakage. Remember, you and your doctor are a team, so be open with her about your wishes.

5. Train your bladder with an expert. If you've had little success with the pelvic floor exercises known as Kegels, tell the doctor. Many times, women who are self-taught have been doing them incorrectly. Your physician can make it easier to find out how to do them properly and can teach you proper technique and how to hone in on the right muscle groups.

If you've got overactive bladder, take the first step and visit a doctor. Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, MO is a group of dedicated and experienced doctors ready to help you stop thinking about your overactive bladder and get back to thinking about living your life.