Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked with a large range of other health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to these serious ailments, though, research scientists are now also finding that OSA goes hand-in-hand with a number of urological conditions as well, including erectile dysfunction, urgency, and nocturia. In the past few years, two distinct studies, one focused on men and the other focused on women, have also found that sleep apnea is linked with overactive bladder (OAB).
Overactive Bladder & Sleep Apnea: The Studies
The first sleep apnea and overactive bladder study took place in 2009 and was published in the scientific journal Sleep. In the study, researchers questioned 100 men who showed signs of sleep apnea and underwent full-night polysomnography for OSA diagnosis. The men were then asked to fill out three questionnaires regarding bladder issues, including the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), and the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS).
The study found that the men who were ultimately diagnosed with OSA were more likely to show symptoms of overactive bladder and urgency incontinence than those who were not diagnosed with OSA. In addition, those who had moderate to severe OSA had a higher chance of bladder issues than those who had only mild OSA.
The second study took place in 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, and focused on women with overactive bladders. The sleep apnea study, which was presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Vienna, focused on 72 women who visited a sleep clinic with suspected signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apena. The women were questioned on the top symptoms of overactive bladder:
Urgency
Frequency of urination
Incontinence and
Nocturia
The results of the questionnaire and study found that the 62 women who were ultimately diagnosed with sleep apnea were significantly more likely to show signs of overactive bladder than the women who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea.
What We Know Now About OAB & OSA
Even though both of the above studies secured similar results about the relationship between overactive bladder and sleep apnea, researchers still do not know how overactive bladder and OSA are related or which one might influence the other. However, scientists say that the studies have clinical implications: when a patient is diagnosed with OSA, he or she should be screened by a doctor to look for signs of OAB so that that health condition can also be treated.
Relief From Sleep Apnea Symptoms At Surgical Sleep Solutions
Both obstructive sleep apnea and overactive bladder can affect all facets of your life, from how you sleep at night to how you function during the day to how you interact with others. At Surgical Sleep Solutions, we want to give you your life back. We are committed to treating OSA through an effective, efficient surgery–and helping patients move on from CPAP therapy for good. To learn more about our services, or to speak to a doctor, please call us today at (855) 560-7378 or fill out our quick contact form.