How to cope with urinary incontinence
Make a plan
A person suffering from urinary incontinence should train himself to empty the bladder at a scheduled time. Usually he should empty his bladder in every 2 to 3 hours gap.
Kegel Exercise
The patient should do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and restore bladder control. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the muscles which form part of the pelvic floor.
Identify and eliminate foods or liquids that can irritate the bladder
Usually few food items and liquids like coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, chocolate, acidic juices, tomato-based sauces, spicy foods and artificial sweeteners cause bladder irritation. However, the patient must do some experimentation and find out what exactly triggers the patient’s problem.
Drink adequate fluids
A person suffering from urinary incontinence should drink adequate fluids, preferably water, throughout the day. Inadequate fluid intake concentrates the urine which in turn causes more bladder irritation. It also damages the lining of the urethra, thereby increasing frequency of urinary leakage.
Avoid Constipation
The patient should include more of high-fiber foods to his diet to avoid constipation. Constipation irritates the bladder and causes partial obstruction of the urethra.
Watch your weight
A person suffering from urinary incontinence should keep his weight under control. An increase in weight increases the pressure in the abdomen.
Avoid smoking
Nicotine can irritate the bladder and in a later stage may even cause bladder cancer. Moreover, a smoker's cough could worsen urine leakage related to stress incontinence.
Proper Clothing
The patient should always wear clothing that can be quickly and easily removed. Looser garments are preferred as they can be removed easily. Moreover, skirts and trousers with elasticized waistbands are also preferred.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: October 24, 2009