Having an overactive bladder might make you feel embarrassed, but this isn't a health issue that you should ignore. There are several different treatment options to consider for an overactive bladder, but they're only available if you take the first step of seeking help from your family doctor. They'll likely refer you to a clinic that specializes in this condition. If you're concerned that you might have this condition, it's useful to understand the common symptoms of an overactive bladder. Here are three symptoms that may apply to you — and that should prompt you to seek help.

Intense Need To Urinate

One of the signs of having an overactive bladder is that you often experience a highly intense need to urinate. This feeling is different from the average person, who might feel a slight urge to urinate that increases over time until they visit the bathroom. When you have an overactive bladder, the need to urinate may come on quickly and feel very intense. In some scenarios, you might be able to think of nothing but your need to urinate, which could especially be challenging if you aren't in close proximity to a toilet. This intense feeling is often something that you'll experience numerous times throughout the day.

Sleep Disruptions

Those who contend with an overactive bladder often face sleep disruptions as a result of this condition. While a lot of people get up to urinate once in the night, particularly as they get older, an overactive bladder can cause you to need to visit the bathroom multiple times between your bedtime and the morning. Waking up several times and going to the bathroom will have a serious impact on your sleep quality, often leaving you feeling tired and perhaps even a bit irritable the following day.

Occasional Accidents

Having an overactive bladder doesn't mean that you have accidents all the time, but there's a good chance that you've experienced one or more accidents since you've begun to suspect that something might be amiss about your bladder. When you feel a sudden need to visit the bathroom, it's possible that you might lose a small bit of urine before you're able to reach the toilet. In some cases, you might even have an accident at night if you don't wake up to use the toilet.

There's no need to suffer from the symptoms of an overactive bladder without seeking help. Reach out to your doctor to learn more.