Incontinence is a condition where an individual loses or has no control of their bladder, and it’s as common as it is often embarrassing. Although generally not life-threatening, it nonetheless can impact all aspects of life, from family and social relationships to finances, work, and even sexual health. It affects women and men alike, with the associated risk increasing with age.
While managing the involuntary leaking of urine is often time-consuming and frustrating, it can be done effectively. In this article, we’ll look into some tips to help keep the condition from impacting your daily life.
Follow a regular fluid schedule
Those with urinary incontinence must keep their intake of fluid on a regular schedule because it’ll help retrain the bladder to empty and fill. Also, it’s a good idea to try and limit the consumption of any fluids in the evening to minimise the likelihood of night time incontinence and voiding. Forty to sixty ounces daily should be the goal because too little fluid intake can make urine too concentrated and result in the irritation of the bladder’s lining, while too much can make the leakage more frequent.
Limit bladder irritants
Some fluids will be much more complex for the bladder to properly process than others. These are referred to as irritants, and it’s crucial that you try to limit their consumption to avoid making the symptoms worse. Some examples are alcohol, high-citrus beverages, and caffeine. It may sound like a minor detail, but there are cases where people suffering from urinary incontinence are able to reduce, if not eliminate, the symptoms entirely.
Keep in mind that this is unlikely to cure the condition. For this reason, it’s recommended that you use quality pull-ups and pads like those from MoliCare.
Plan toilet scheduling carefully
Planning toilet attempts every two hours or so every day can help make urinary incontinence more manageable. The normal behaviour of the bladder is urinating six to seven times daily, including emptying the bladder before activities, sleeping, or leaving the house. Having a schedule will prevent you from filling your bladder too much and risking a leakage. Additionally, it’s worth strengthening your pelvic muscles as it can minimise urinary incontinence significantly. To do so, try engaging in Kegel exercises.
Manage constipation
Difficult-to-pass or infrequent stools tend to increase pressure within the bladder and pelvic area. Therefore, it makes sense to adopt a fibre-rich diet and consume adequate water to maintain healthy elimination patterns that will aid the bladder in filling and emptying more effectively. Managing constipation to reduce incidents of incontinence may seem strange, but it can make a difference.
Conclusion
There’s no denying the difficulty that those suffering from incontinence go through in life. However, while it undoubtedly impacts the standard of happiness, comfort, and health, you can keep its symptoms at a minimum with a few good practices. So, make sure that you follow all of the tips that are listed above. Doing so will help you manage the condition more effectively.
