Urinary incontinence is a problem that many women suffer from. Although there are men who also experience this condition, it is much more common in women. According to statistics, there are approximately 25 million Americans who have some form of urinary incontinence and more than 200 million people worldwide. 80% of these people are women. Only one in 8 people who have urinary incontinence are diagnosed, while the rest continue to suffer the often unpleasant and embarrassing symptoms. There are several lifestyle and dietary changes that can be made to help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with urinary incontinence.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence: This loss of bladder control is mainly characterized by a problem controlling urination. It is usually an involuntary leakage of urine that can occur in everyday moments such as laughing or coughing. This makes it a very stressful event for those who experience it. There are two types of incontinence and they are known as stress incontinence and urge incontinence. The type of stress was described above. Urge incontinence is more severe and involves increased urine loss and a frequent feeling of needing to urinate. Most women will have a combination of these two.
Causes of urinary incontinence: Women often have stress incontinence from having children or gaining too much weight. Excess weight can weaken the bladder muscles and cause this condition. With urge incontinence, it’s not clear what the initial cause is. However, it could be due to some kind of irritation in the bladder.
Tests and Diagnosis: When you see your medical provider, you will receive a series of tests to determine if you have urinary incontinence. These include a bladder stress test and a urinalysis. If the doctor wants more advanced tests, they may include a urodynamic test, ultrasound scans, and cystometry that helps measure pressure on the bladder. Once your doctor determines your diagnosis, he or she will be able to prescribe a course of treatment that will help alleviate and potentially completely control your incontinence. These are some of the medications that may be prescribed to you; Imipramine which is an antidepressant, Duloxetine which is also an antidepressant; low doses of estrogen in the form of a topical cream and anticholinergics that work to calm the bladder.
Diet and lifestyle changes: Of course, in addition to these medical treatments, there are many things you can do to help yourself with this problem. There is a misconception that reducing fluid intake will help urinate less frequently. This is not the correct approach as it could lead to dehydration. You need to stay hydrated for your health and this should be 6-8 glasses of water a day. Include other beverages you may be drinking for this total amount. You should limit caffeine, alcohol, and soft drinks in your diet, as they can irritate the bladder. Try to avoid drinking fluids at night.
Sugar: Eating too much sugar is unhealthy in general and particularly if you have urinary incontinence. Sugar can also irritate the bladder. Many foods have hidden sugar in them, so always read labels carefully. Sugar includes products containing fructose and honey. Cranberry Juice – There has been a common misconception that cranberry juice helps with urinary incontinence in women. It is useful with urinary tract infections. However with urinary incontinence it can aggravate the problem due to its acidity.
Lifestyle Changes: Exercise is very important to help with this condition. There are specific exercises known as “Kegal” methods. The Kegal method is an exercise that strengthens the pelvic muscles, thus helping you to have more control over urinary flow. With continued use you should see improvement.
Obesity: If you are overweight or obese, your urinary incontinence condition will be further aggravated. Losing weight and getting fit will certainly help you. For example, if you have a heavy abdomen, it will put extra pressure on your bladder and further weaken the muscles. When you take the weight off, you will naturally strengthen these muscles that are no longer overloaded.
Other Techniques: Many women have had success trying to control the urge to urinate when they feel an overwhelming urge to do so. Your immediate sensation is running to the bathroom to relieve yourself. However, if you can try to retrain your bladder to wait a bit longer, you may eventually stop urinating as often. Start slowly and with what you are comfortable doing. For example, start by trying to wait 10 minutes before urinating when you feel like urinating. Work up to 15-20 minutes if you can. This technique can eventually train your bladder and you won’t need to urinate as often as before.
Clearly, urinary incontinence is a problem for many women, and it can definitely affect the quality of their lives. By incorporating a solid plan that includes medical intervention and dietary and lifestyle changes, you will see significant improvement and control of this condition. Remember that with any dietary or lifestyle change, always check with your medical provider before doing so, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking prescription medications.