Don’t Let an Overactive
Bladder Tie You Down
When an overactive ladder keeps you close to a bathroom, it can force you to limit your activities. But you can take control of the situation.
In overactive bladder (OAB), nerves signal the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning. Symptoms include:
- Feeling a sudden, strong need to urinate immediately
- Experiencing incontinence—losing urine—after a strong, sudden urge
- Urinating eight or more times a day
- Waking two or more times at night to urinate
See a Doctor
This common bladder condition affects both sexes, but women are more prone to experience incontinence. Though it affects all ages, you’re more likely to develop OAB as you grow older.People with OAB may be embarrassed to get help, or believe nothing can be done. But it can be managed—and underlying health problems like urinary infection or prostate abnormality could be to blame.
Natural Treatments Help
Doctors treat OAB with lifestyle changes and medication if the problem is not due to other health conditions. Here are steps to help curb symptoms:- Eliminate bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
- Drink four to six cups of fluids a day.
- Retrain the bladder to hold more urine by using the bathroom at timed intervals.
- Perform exercises to strengthen muscles that help hold in urine.
did you know?
Smokers or extremely overweight people are more likely to develop OAB. Drinking lots of carbonated drinks may also increase risk.Quick Tip
Use your muscles. Build up muscles that control urination through Kegel exercises. While lying down, squeeze or pull up on the muscles that start and stop urine flow. Hold for a count of three, then relax. Start with a few, building up to three sets of 10 each day.If Kegel exercises aren’t helping, ask your doctor about a referral to Quest4Life Rehab Services.
