Weak Bladder Problems: 7 Steps To Improve Your Weak Bladder (Urinary Incontinence) Symptoms
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:11Are you experiencing problems with your bladder? When you laugh, cough, sneeze, or exercise, are you afraid that urine might leak out? When you feel the need to urinate, are you afraid that you won’t make it to the bathroom in time? If so, you are not alone. Although millions of women suffer from weak bladder, it’s a topic that few of them ever discuss with anyone else, even with their physician. That’s because the involuntary loss of urine is considered too embarrassing to even mention it.
Many women prefer to change their lifestyle, avoiding social occasions and physical activity for fear of wetting themselves. They think incontinence is just something you have to deal with. But it isn’t! By seeking help and starting treatment most women are able to resume normal daily activities and improve the quality of their life.
If you are one of these women who are suffering alone, then you may be surprised to learn that there are some simple lifestyle changes that you can do to reduce or even get rid of that problem, including:
1. Change the type of fluids you consume. Eliminate or reduce any beverages that act as diuretics and/or bladder irritants. These beverages are include coffee and all caffeinated drinks, tea, acidic juices, and carbonated sodas. Replace them with water and other nonirritating drinks.
2. Drink less. Limit how much you drink daily. You may have heard that we should be consuming 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily, but you may require more or less than this based on how physically active you are, where you live, etc. You may want to consult your physician on this one.
3. Make changes to your diet. Eat more natural, unprocessed foods, such as fresh fruits, greens and vegetables. Remember that foods that are spicy, acidic, artificially colored, contain artificial sweeteners, etc., can irritate your bladder and worsen your symptoms.
4. Lose some weight. Losing even a few pounds can help relieve pressure on your bladder.
5. Quit smoking.
6. Bladder training. This means teaching yourself to delay going to the bathroom, so that you wait a few minutes each time before you go. Work on gradually increasing the length of time, until you are only urinating once every 2 to 4 hours.
7. Do pelvic floor muscle exercises daily. Pelvic floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, help strengthen your pelvic muscles and improve your ability to control your bladder.
Whatever method you use, don’t neglect your weak bladder problems just because you don’t know where to look for help and are embarrassed to ask for help. If you need to see a specialist, it’s important to do so early. If you are in New York/New Jersey area, call urologist in New Jersey for a free consultation.