Living with overactive bladder —also known as OAB — can be a challenge, when the urge to urinate occurs often and suddenly. It can be even more frustrating when you don't know what causes OAB. Yet you're not alone — as many as one in six adults over age 40 may have symptoms of OAB.

Getting help starts by understanding how bothered you are by your symptoms, then talking to your doctor about what you're experiencing.

If you have OAB, you may be more likely to have other health issues as well. These include increased risk for falls in the elderly resulting in fractures, and urinary tract and skin infections. It is important to talk to your health care provider about all symptoms you may be having even if you think they seem unrelated to your condition.