How to Treat Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a condition that causes you to urinate when you do not want to. Whether it is due to weakened bladder muscles or an enlarged prostate, it can be an embarrassing condition to live with. You may even avoid social events because you are worried about leaking urine. Luckily, you can take steps to improve your condition.
Lose Weight
Carrying around excess weight can negatively impact many parts of your body, including your bladder. The fatty tissue on your bladder can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, causing you to involuntarily urinate. If you shed some pounds through diet and exercise, you may gain control of your bladder once and for all.
Change the Way You Eat
The types of foods you consume can have a big impact on urinary incontinence. Citrus fruits, highly spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners, in particular, are not so good for your bladder. What you drink also matters. Drink mainly water and limit beverages that contain alcohol and caffeine, as they can irritate your bladder.
Perform Kegel Exercises
Although Kegel exercises may feel strange at first, they can help you strengthen your bladder and prevent leaks. All you have to do is gently squeeze your pelvic floor muscles a few times a day. Over time, you may notice that you have fewer urinary leaks.
Choose the Right Workouts
Exercising regularly is beneficial for your physical and mental health. However, if you suffer from urinary incontinence, you have to be careful about the types of exercises you perform. If you engage in high-impact exercises, such as jumping or running, you can put too much pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. Instead, you should perform lightweight exercises, such as pilates and yoga.
Ask Your Doctor About Medication
There are several medications that can help control urinary incontinence, including alpha-blockers, topical estrogen, and anticholinergics. Your doctor can help you select the appropriate medication.
Surgery
If you can't get control of your urinary incontinence, surgery may be necessary. For instance, your doctor may suggest an artificial urinary sphincter, which involves inserting a ring around the bladder to control the urinary sphincter.
Urinary incontinence can be a difficult condition to deal with. However, if you follow these helpful tips, you can get control of your bladder and live a normal life again. If you have additional questions about urinary incontinence, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.