An overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition in which the bladder contracts involuntarily and causes an abnormal urge to urinate. OAB is related to multiple conditions, such as diabetes, nerve and muscle damage, weakened pelvic muscles, and more. Here are a few early warning signs of OAB:

1. Symptoms
Here are a few symptoms of an overactive bladder:

• Urge incontinence
  Urge incontinence refers to loss of bladder control and involuntary leaking or passing urine before one can get to the toilet. This can be really bothersome and embarrassing, and has to be dealt with care. Surgeries to treat urge incontinence or wearing diapers is strongly advised if it continues to be a problem and impacts day-to-day activities greatly.
• Stress urinary incontinence
  In stress urinary incontinence, urine leakage takes place because of the pressure applied on the bladder and urethra.
• Urinary urgency
  A urinary urgency is the need to urinate several times a day, even when the bladder is not full. Normally, bladder function is controlled by the brain that sends impulses to the bladder when it is full, which contracts and induces the urge to urinate. But in this case of a urinary urgency, the bladder acts independently from the brain signals, resulting in a urinary urgency.
• Nocturia
  This is a condition in which a person gets up more than two to three times during the night to urinate. It is a common symptom of an overactive bladder, and impacts sleep a lot. This may serve as an early warning symptom of an overactive bladder, and if it persists, then it is advisable to limit fluid intake, including the intake of caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or tea, a few hours before going to bed.

2. Causes
OAB can be caused due to many reasons. Some of them are:

• Weakening of the bladder
  This occurs due to many factors. For women, pregnancy and childbirth may cause a sag in the pelvic floor and detrusor muscle of the bladder. Other causes can be obesity, which is the pressure caused by excess weight on the bladder, constipation, bladder stones, etc.
• Medical conditions
  Conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, constipation that exerts pressure on the bladder, bladder infections, and hormonal changes during perimenopause or menopause may alter the function of the bladder, resulting in a hyperactive bladder.
• Lifestyle
  A poor sleep cycle and diet, excessive intake of caffeine and other fluids, constipation that exerts pressure on the bladder, excessive smoking, and excess body weight can easily allow OAB to set in. To curb these, Kegel exercises are strongly recommended.
• Obesity
  Obesity can put a lot of pressure on the bladder and urethra. This weakens the pelvic floor muscles over time, and the bladder may lose its control, allowing the urethra to open even when the bladder is not full. Incontinence improves with weight management. With a fair reduction in weight, urinary incontinence can be brought under control.
• Physical activity
  Strenuous physical activities, such as exercising or weightlifting, also can cause urine leakage. Though physical activity is strongly encouraged, exercises must be chosen in a way that they don’t weaken the pelvic muscles and urinary sphincter. If simple things like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or bending cause urine leakage often, then they can be a cause of OAB.