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Bladder care

Overactive Bladder

Consultant-led assessment and treatment planning with Mr Syed Ali Shahzad, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon.

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Overactive Bladder Treatment in Birmingham

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a very common condition characterised by a sudden, compelling urge to urinate that is difficult to control, often accompanied by urinary frequency and nocturia. It affects up to 17% of the adult population and can significantly impact daily life and quality of sleep. Mr Syed Ali Shahzad, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, offers expert assessment and treatment for overactive bladder at private hospitals across Birmingham.

Symptoms of OAB

  • Urinary urgency (sudden, compelling urge to urinate)
  • Urinary frequency (urinating 8 or more times in 24 hours)
  • Nocturia (waking from sleep to urinate 2 or more times per night)
  • Urgency urinary incontinence (leaking urine before reaching the toilet)

Causes

OAB is caused by involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle (the bladder wall muscle). It may be associated with BPH, neurological conditions, urinary tract infections, certain medications or ageing, but in many cases no underlying cause is identified.

Treatment Options

Management follows a stepwise approach:

  • Lifestyle modifications: Fluid management, reducing caffeine and alcohol, bladder diary and bladder retraining.
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapy: Effective for urgency and urgency incontinence.
  • Oral medications: Antimuscarinics or beta-3 agonists (mirabegron) to reduce bladder muscle overactivity.
  • Bladder Botox injections: Botulinum toxin injected into the bladder wall under cystoscopy to reduce detrusor overactivity. Highly effective, with results lasting 6 to 9 months.
  • Sacral neuromodulation: A small device implanted near the sacral nerve to modulate bladder signals. Suitable for refractory OAB.
  • Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS): A non-invasive outpatient nerve stimulation treatment.

Book an OAB Consultation in Birmingham

No GP referral is required. Mr Shahzad is recognised by BUPA, AXA, AVIVA, Vitality, Cigna and WPA. Book an appointment or contact us.

Need urgent help?

If you are experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding, inability to pass urine, fever with urinary symptoms or symptoms requiring urgent attention, seek urgent medical help through NHS 111, your GP, A&E or emergency services depending on severity.

Request a private appointment

About the author: This page is written and clinically reviewed by Mr Syed Ali Shahzad, a private urologist serving Birmingham and the West Midlands. Request an appointment for a consultant-led assessment.

Patient decision guide

Choosing treatment for overactive bladder

Treatment is normally escalated step by step after infection, retention and other causes of urgency have been considered.

Initial assessment

A bladder diary, urine test, symptom review and bladder-emptying assessment can clarify the pattern and guide first treatment.

Flow test and bladder scan

Conservative treatment

Fluid adjustment, reducing bladder irritants, bladder training and pelvic-floor support are often used before invasive treatment.

Medication

Antimuscarinic or beta-3 agonist medicines may be considered after contraindications, interactions and possible side effects are reviewed.

Persistent symptoms

Urodynamics, bladder Botox, nerve stimulation or onward specialist treatment may be discussed when appropriate.

Urodynamics Bladder Botox

No single treatment suits everyone. The aim is meaningful symptom improvement with side effects and practical commitments that you find acceptable.

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Your care pathway

Overactive bladder assessment and treatment pathway

Urgency and frequency are assessed carefully to exclude infection, retention and other causes before escalating treatment.

1

Symptom assessment

Review urgency, frequency, leakage, fluid intake, medicines and impact on sleep and daily life.

Bladder care
2

Basic investigations

A urine test, bladder diary, uroflowmetry and post-void bladder scan may be helpful.

Flow test and bladder scan
3

Specialist testing when needed

Urodynamics may be considered when symptoms are complex or the result could alter invasive treatment planning.

Urodynamics
4

Stepwise treatment

Bladder training, pelvic-floor support, medication and bladder Botox may be discussed according to response and suitability.

Bladder BotoxBladder clinic

Not every patient needs every test or treatment shown. Mr Shahzad will explain which steps are appropriate after reviewing your symptoms and results.

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Birmingham Advanced Urology
Private consultant urology care in Birmingham, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Mr Syed Ali Shahzad
Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon
GMC: 6071731

Appointments and enquiries
Yasmin Khan, Secretary
Yasmin.Khan@hcaconsultant.co.uk
+44 7866 009874
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The information on this website is for general information only and should not replace medical advice from a qualified clinician. If you are experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding, inability to pass urine, fever with urinary symptoms or symptoms requiring urgent attention, seek urgent medical help through NHS 111, your GP, A&E or emergency services depending on severity.

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