Modern medicine views overactive bladder as occurring because the detrusor urinae muscle contracts unstably and excessively, or because a problem arises in the neural signaling system between the urinary bladder and the brain. It can be described as the urinary bladder becoming overly sensitive. Normally, one feels the urge to urinate only when a certain amount of urine fills the bladder, but patients with overactive bladder feel a sudden and intense desire to urinate even with small amounts of urine. This can be explained largely in three aspects.
First is malfunction of the nervous system. Often, the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic nerve, that regulates the movement of the urinary bladder is excessively activated, or abnormalities occur in the information transmission system between the brain and the urinary bladder, causing the bladder to contract on its own. The brain plays the role of holding urine, but psychological factors such as stress or anxiety can weaken the brain's urinary bladder inhibitory function. This is an area where the kidney deficiency mentioned in Donguibogam can be linked to systemic energy deficiency and hypofunction of the nervous system caused by stress.
Second is changes in the urinary bladder muscle. Due to repeated stimulation, inflammation, or aging, the detrusor urinae muscle itself may become hypersensitive or develop fibrosis, failing to perform its proper function. In addition, when the pelvic floor muscle weakens or conversely becomes excessively tense, it can also affect urinary bladder function. The Donguibogam expression deficiency cold of the lower jiao can be interpreted as reduced circulation in the lower abdomen and weakened muscle function.
Third is lifestyle habits and underlying diseases. Consuming beverages that irritate the urinary bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, can make one feel the desire to urinate more frequently. In addition, metabolic diseases such as diabetes cause nerve injury and adversely affect urinary bladder function, while obesity can increase intra-abdominal pressure and compress the urinary bladder. In women, hormonal changes after menopause affect the urinary bladder and urethral mucosa, sometimes worsening overactive bladder symptoms. Occasionally, symptoms similar to cystitis appear even when there is no urinary tract infection, so an accurate diagnosis is important. In this way, modern medicine explains that overactive bladder occurs due to complex causes spanning neurology, muscular systems, hormones, and lifestyle habits, aligning with the wisdom of Donguibogam to view the balance of our entire body as essential.
