Urinary incontinence affects 25 million adults in the US, impacting their lives in multiple ways. It’s a fairly common issue that impacts people of various age groups, genders, and health histories, but it is more prevalent in older adults, especially women.
There are several easy lifestyle adjustments you can make that will improve urinary incontinence for most adults. If none of these treatments work for you, it may be time to see a urologist to explore other remedies. In the meantime, try the following:
Alcohol and caffeine are both bladder irritants, which means they will cause disturbances. These fluids are difficult to process and have different impacts on your urinary system, thus contributing to your issues with incontinence.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it will make you urinate more frequently and pervasively, and limiting it can greatly reduce the urge to urinate. Caffeine, on the other hand, irritates your system, making it harder to exercise bladder control.
Stop smoking and vaping to improve urinary incontinence because both activities can lead to coughing, wheezing, and unnecessary pressure on your bladder. Not only are they generally unhealthy for you, but they also affect your pelvic floor muscles significantly.
One of the best things you can do to improve urinary incontinence aside from surgery is to perform pelvic floor exercises. These exercises take a while to show improvement, but they are one of the most effective methods to strengthen your muscles and regain bladder control. Speak to your urologist in Houston to find out which exercises are right for you.
Lastly, learn to train your bladder to combat symptoms of incontinence. It’s not going to be easy at first, but it’s important to do. Start by spacing out your urination frequency slowly and gradually, for instance, consciously holding your urine in for an hour if you’re used to going to the bathroom every 30 minutes and then extending that time very gradually. Don’t force it or expect to do it instantly, or you run the risk of leaks and accidents.
If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, you’ll find some of the leading urologists in Houston at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital. We offer various treatment plans, including surgical methods, to address this issue, and you can discuss the options with your doctor. Visit our hospital in Houston, or find the right urologist near you here.
Phone: (281) 539-2900
Fax: (281) 715-4525
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