Suffering from urinary incontinence? You’re not alone. Million of women experience this common condition at some point in their life. How can you cope?
Here are some surefire strategies to manage light bladder leakage.
Bladder leakage pads
These pads can help absorb urine loss due to urinary incontinence, no matter how light or heavy. Pantyliners are a great option for those who experience the condition because of sneezing, laughing or exercise. Adult diapers and shields can help those with heavier urinary loss flows and can be worn in place of underwear.
Medication
If you suspect you might be suffering from urinary incontinence, the first thing to do is speak to your family physician. He or she can then refer you to a urologist, who can help decipher the underlying cause of your condition. From there, he or she can prescribe one of several medications (if necessary) to lessen the urge and frequency to urinate. These pills slow down the bladder’s functioning.
Kegel exercises
These exercises work the muscles of the vagina and pelvic wall and help strengthen the sphincter, all muscles we use to urinate or to stave it off. Kegels are especially effective for women experiencing urinary incontinence as a result of weight gain, pregnancy or menopause.
Removing diuretics from your diet
Coffee and alcohol, as well as some sweetened beverages, increase the rate at which our body expels liquid. To stave off the urge or sensation to urinate, limiting your intake of these drinks could help. Can’t dream of going without caffeine? Swap out coffee for tea. Tea has a small amount of caffeine but is less of a diuretic than coffee.
Catheterization
In extreme cases of bladder leakage, self-catheterization may be prescribed. This option keeps the bladder empty so you never have to worry about the sudden urge to urinate. This option is most commonly offered to people who have short or smaller urethras, the part of the body that helps regulate urination.
Surgery
In instances where urinary incontinence is severe and cannot be improved by other treatments or by changing lifestyle habits, surgery may be an option.
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