what causes overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is caused primarily by either abnormal nerve signals between the brain and bladder or overactive bladder muscles. This leads to the bladder muscles contracting too often or prematurely, creating a sudden and urgent need to urinate even when the bladder is not full. Common causes and contributing factors include neurological diseases (such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease), drinking too much caffeine or fluids, urinary tract infections, constipation, medication side effects (like diuretics), prior surgeries, and conditions like diabetes or an enlarged prostate. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and menopause also contribute to the risk. In some cases, the exact cause may be unknown. Specifically, the detrusor muscles in the bladder wall may contract involuntarily, leading to the urgent need to urinate. Contributing health conditions that affect the nervous system or bladder function may trigger these contractions or cause the brain to misinterpret signals from the bladder. Thus, overactive bladder symptoms arise due to a mix of neurological, muscular, and lifestyle factors that disrupt normal bladder control mechanisms.