Overactive bladder and incontinence part 5

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle or behavioral modifications are the first step in management of an overactive bladder. The consumer has to understand that changes in lifestyle are not a cure for overflow incontinence. In many cases, these simple lifestyle changes can have a dramatic reduction in incontinence episodes.

The few lifestyles changes for overflow incontinence include:

Drink less fluids. Once a diagnosis of overflow incontinence has been made, watch how much you drink. The more you drink, the greater is the urge to urinate. So minimize your fluids but do not dehydrate yourself or remain thirsty.

Drink appropriate fluids: Some fluids which make incontinence worse are beverages containing caffeine and alcohol. Both tea and coffee should only be consumed on a minimal basis. Alcohol is probably the worst drink for all individuals with overflow incontinence. The best advice is quit alcohol.

Watch your diet. Often overflow incontinence is associated with constipation. The bowels sit on top of the bladder and when impacted with stools can compress the bladder. To avoid constipation, eat lots of fiber.

Bladder training is a protocol where one learns to cope with the urge to urinate. Over time, bladder training relaxes the bladder. One can try delaying going to urinate a few minutes every time there is an urge to urinate. Try to gradually prolong this time period by a few minutes over a few weeks or even months. Some individuals can teach the bladder to relax with this method. However, for the majority this method really does not work.