Urinary incontinence is not having control over your bladder. It might be an occasional leakage of urine while coughing or sneezing, or having a sudden urge to pass urine. So, it varies from one person to another. When a person with incontinence feels the urge to urinate suddenly, it might be difficult for them to reach the toilet in time. This can even lead to injuries among older adults. However, there are some natural home remedies like bladder training techniques available to tackle this issue.
If you currently suffer from incontinence, you must consult your doctor/healthcare provider immediately. The causes of incontinence are many, but it can also occur due to a more severe underlying health condition. So, you must find the root cause of the problem in order to address it.
Incontinence can affect your social life to a great extent. Many feel embarrassed to talk about the issue even with their healthcare provider. And some people prefer to stay at home instead of finding an appropriate solution to their problem.
Kegel Exercises for Strengthening
“Kegel exercises” are also known as “pelvic floor exercises.” The pelvic floor muscles help with bodily functions, such as urinating and passing stools. Kegel exercises assist in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles by contracting and relaxing them. Thus, by performing these exercises, you can gain better control over your bladder.
Fluid Management Strategies
Certain beverages can irritate your bladder, which results in incontinence. For example, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages often contribute to problems with urinating. If you feel that the intake of some drinks or foodstuffs aggravates your incontinence issue, you can reduce their consumption. If you consult your healthcare provider, they will suggest the timings and quantities of your daily fluid consumption.
How to Decide If You Need Bladder Training?
Incontinence is pretty common among women, especially after childbirth or menopause. Being overweight or obese is yet another reason behind this health issue. Therefore, only if you know the exact reason behind your incontinence issue can you decide whether or not you have to take up bladder training. Regular practice of pelvic floor exercises can also assist in strengthening your bladder and getting rid of the problem. If your doctor recommends that you take up bladder training, you can just go ahead and start doing it regularly. In some cases, they may advise implementing stress management techniques too.
Dietary Changes to Tackle Urinary Incontinence
Reducing caffeine intake and going easy on alcoholic beverages can help combat incontinence. When you take alcohol, the signals from your brain that are sent to your bladder will get affected. These signals are for the control or the excretion of urine. Consumption of spicy food items can also irritate your bladder. So, try cutting down on such types of food. Also, reduce your intake of citrus fruits because they are acidic and can affect the bladder.
Other Home Remedies for Incontinence
Low Vitamin D levels are directly related to incontinence in women. So, taking Vitamin D supplements can help reduce symptoms. Again, you can do it only after a consultation with your doctor. Pumpkin seed extracts may reduce incontinence in certain men, but not all. However, there is only very limited research to support this fact. In case you are planning to take an herb, mineral, or any other product that is suggested by your friend or a loved one, get advice on the same from your healthcare provider.
Ensure that you address incontinence as early as possible. Natural home remedies like bladder training techniques can help resolve this health issue to a certain extent. In the case of older adults, incontinence is more common because of aging. So, it’s crucial to address it at once.
