PHIL HANNO, MD: I think patients who experience symptoms of an overactive bladder should keep a voiding diary. They should record how often they void, the time they're voiding, and what kind of volumes they're voiding, you know, how many ounces they void on an average time, that would be very helpful, and how many times they wake up at night. And then they should see their doctor and bring that information with them when they see their doctor, and that gives the doctor tremendous -- tremendously helpful clues in terms of determining what's going on and what the best treatment would be.
ANNOUNCER: Once overactive bladder is diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available.
ERIC ROVNER, MD: Probably the best treatment for most patients to start with is a program called behavioral modification, and it's a combination of treatments, including some behavioral measures, such as voiding or urinating by the clock as opposed to by the sense of urinary urgency, changing certain aspects of their diet, losing weight, stop smoking, among other things, decreasing caffeine intake, decreasing alcohol intake.
And an integral component of the behavioral modification program is pelvic floor exercises. Pelvic floor exercises are Kegel exercises. They are intermittent contractions or voluntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles -- the muscles around the rectum and bladder. They are very effective when done as part of a behavioral modification program.
ANNOUNCER: In addition to exercises and lifestyle changes, there are several medications that doctors can prescribe.
