Your bladder control treatment plan may include a combination of medicines, surgery and lifestyle modifications. In most cases of mild urinary incontinence, simple diet and lifestyle changes can help lessen or treat the problem completely. Even for severe cases, lifestyle remedies are essential to keep the bladder healthy and strong.
Here are some lifestyle remedies or modifications to aid the treatment of urinary incontinence.
Diet changes: Your bladder control treatment may not work well if you continue to eat a diet that is not okay for your urinary system.
- Avoid or limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine and citrus juice.
- Eat tomatoes, chocolates and spicy food in moderation. For best results, you may avoid these foods altogether for the duration of your bladder control treatment.
- Add more fiber to your diet.
The foods mentioned above can cause bladder inflammation and irritation. These foods can also aggravate an existing bladder problem. Healthy eating can also minimize your risk of getting urinary incontinence due to diabetes and obesity.
Weight management: Obesity can be a risk factor for urinary incontinence. Excess weight not only puts pressure on the bladder but also increases your chances of getting diabetes. Diabetes often causes urinary incontinence as the body attempts to eliminate excess glucose through urine.
- Shedding any excess weight can be very useful in managing urinary incontinence.
- Mild to high-intensity physical activity depending on your general health can go a long way in keeping your bladder healthy.
Other remedies: Along with diet and exercise, there are other lifestyle remedies that can help with your bladder control treatment.
- Smoking can cause coughing and worsen your stress incontinence (urine loss due to sudden pressure). Smoking can also increase your risk for type 2 diabetes and cancers of the bladder, rectum, and colon, which can cause urinary incontinence. If you smoke, quitting the habit may help you in the treatment of urinary incontinence.
- Proper hydration can help you avoid infections in the urinary tract, which can cause bladder problems.
Whether you have mild urinary incontinence or a severe problem in your bladder, these diet and lifestyle modification may be helpful for you.