Bladder Incontinence Over The Counter Treatment

Treatment Options For Urinary Tract Infections

Ladies, if you think you have a urinary tract infection, you are probably right. One study found that women who self-diagnose a UTI are right 84% of the time.

You can apply this know-how to partner with your health care provider to pick the right treatment The go-to treatment of a UTI, which is caused by a bacteria, is antibiotics. Your questions about treatment decisions can make a difference, especially since antibiotic recommendations have shifted and not all doctors have changed their practices.

Medicine For Stress Incontinence

If stress incontinence does not significantly improve with lifestyle changes or exercises, surgery will usually be recommended as the next step.

However, if you’re unsuitable for surgery or want to avoid an operation, you may benefit from an antidepressant medicine called duloxetine. This can help increase the muscle tone of the urethra, to help keep it closed.

You’ll need to take duloxetine tablets twice a day and will be assessed after 2 to 4 weeks to see if the medicine is beneficial or causing any side effects.

Possible side effects of duloxetine can include:

Do not suddenly stop taking duloxetine, as this can also cause unpleasant side effects. A GP will reduce your dose gradually.

Duloxetine is not suitable for everyone, however, so a GP will discuss any other medical conditions you have to determine if you can take it.

Why Does Pregnancy Cause Incontinence

During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of physical changes. As your uterus stretches to hold the growing baby, a few things happen. Your bladder can be squished by the expanding baby, making your bladder hold less than before. You might experience an increased urgency to pee during pregnancy because your bladder cannot hold as much as before. This might become even more challenging towards the end of pregnancy when the baby is at its largest.

Another reason for incontinence during pregnancy is the weakening of your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are the support structures for all of the organs in your pelvis. During pregnancy, they can be stretched and weakened as your uterus expands.

Recommended Reading: Over The Counter Bladder Infection Medicine

Care For Pregnant Women

The hormonal and anatomical changes of pregnancy mean that being pregnant increases the risk for both urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Not only this but pregnant people and their unborn babies may experience more health complications with even simple infections. UTIs and yeast infections during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of preeclampsia, premature labor, and low birth weight.

Pregnant women who think they have a UTI or a yeast infection should see their healthcare provider without delay, as these infections should be treated right away to prevent serious complications to both the mother and the child. Your healthcare provider can also help you pick the safest treatments, since some antibiotics and antifungals are not suitable for pregnant women.

Recommended Reading: Overactive Bladder Pills Over The Counter

Buchu And Your Bladder

A flowering plant native to the mountainous areas of South Africa, buchu has a long history of traditional use. Legend has it that buchu helps heal everything from fevers to coughs to urinary tract infections.

Buchu tea has no caffeine, so swapping your morning coffee or black tea for buchu will cut your caffeine consumption. That may be helpful in easing OAB symptoms, but dont expect a cure-all. No studies measure buchus effect on OAB.

Read Also: Can A Bladder Infection Cause Back Pain

Drugs For Urinary Frequency Enuresis And Incontinence

Urinary Frequency Due to Overactive Bladder

What If I Dont Go To The Doctor

What happens when UTIs are left untreated? Contrary to popular belief, your immune system is often able to clear a UTI on its own. Studies have found that 25-42% of women are able to recover from an uncomplicated UTI without antibiotics.

But that means a majority of UTIs do not go away on their own. If left untreated, they can lead to continued discomfort and other more serious health issues, such as kidney damage or a severe infection. Therefore, treatment is recommended.

Physicians tailor care plans to each patient, and there is no sole treatment for everyone, says Stanford physician Kim Chiang, MD. During your visit, feel free to ask in-depth questions, particularly if a non-recommended antibiotic is prescribed.

This is the fifth post in the seriesUnderstanding UTIs. The goal of this seven-part series is to provide easy-to-understand, scientifically grounded information about UTIs. Patients referenced are composites, compiled from actual patient experiences.Data on medications used for UTIs were extracted from the National Disease and Therapeutic Index, a nationally representative physician survey produced by IQVIA.

Also Check: How To Insert Catheter In Bladder

Read Also: How Are Botox Injections Given For Overactive Bladder

Different Forms Of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can affect people in various ways, depending on the cause of the problem:

Total incontinence

This is when your bladder cant store any urine, and so constantly leaks.

Urge incontinence

This is the sudden and intense need to pass urine. It can affect those with neurological conditions, such as Parkinsons disease.

Overflow incontinence

Also known as chronic urinary retention, this is when you cant fully empty your bladder, which results in frequent leaking.

Stress incontinence

When the muscles that control urine flow become weak, urine can leak out at times of physical stress, such as when you cough, laugh or lift something heavy.

Mixed incontinence

Read Also: How Does Someone Get A Urinary Tract Infection

Which Medications Are Used For Oab

Your doctor may use multiple strategies to relieve your overactive bladder symptoms.

In addition to the exercises and behavioral modifications, many medications are available one is even available over-the-counter.

Extended-release forms may cause less dry mouth as a side effect.

Medications include:

Also Check: What To Do When You Get A Bladder Infection

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

If you have ever experienced the frequent urge to go the bathroom with painful and burning urination, you have probably experienced a urinary tract infection . UTIs are one of the most common types of infections, accounting for over 10 million visits to health care providers each year. Roughly 40% of women experience a UTI at some time, and in women, it is the most common infection. Healthcare costs related to UTIs exceed $1.6 billion per year.

A urinary tract infection can happen anywhere along your urinary tract, which includes the kidneys , the ureters , the bladder , or the urethra . Most UTIs occur in the bladder and urethra. Common symptoms include frequent need to urinate, burning while urinating, and pain in lower abdomen area.

There are different types of UTIs based on where the bacteria goes. A lower urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria gets into the urethra and is deposited up into the bladder this is called cystitis. Infections that get past the bladder and up into the kidneys are called pyelonephritis.

Urinary tract infection symptoms may include:

• Pain or burning upon urination
• A frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Blood in the urine or or pink-stained urine
• Urines that looks cloudy
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pain, cramping in the pelvis or pubic bone area, especially in women

Upper UTIs which include the kidney may also present with symptoms of fever, chills, back or side pain, and nausea or vomiting.

How To Cope With Side Effects

What to do about:

• feeling sick â try taking mirabegron with a meal or snack. It may also help if you stick to simple meals and avoid rich or spicy food.
• constipation â eat more high-fibre foodsâ¯such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water.â¯Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.â¯Watch this short video about how to treat constipation.
• diarrhoea â drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
• urinary tract infection â if you think you have a UTI, ask a pharmacist or doctor to recommend a treatment. Tell them that you are taking mirabegron.
• headache â make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask a pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches continue or are severe.
• feeling dizzy â stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery until it passes. If you are still having dizzy spells after a week, speak to your doctor.
• fast heart rate â lie down and try to relax. This is usually nothing to worry about and will pass. Contact 111 if your heart beat does not slow down after resting, or if you have chest pain.

Don’t Miss: What Over The Counter Medicine Is Good For Bladder Infections

Do I Really Need To Take Antibiotics For A Uti

In most cases, it makes sense to start antibiotics if you know you have a bacterial UTI since this is the only way to treat it.

While it is possible for a UTI to go away on its own, this doesnt always happen. Plus, youll still have to deal with uncomfortable UTI symptoms like pain during urination while waiting to see if the UTI will go away. And if it doesnt, the infection can travel up your urinary tract and cause a more serious infection in your kidneys called pyelonephritis. If youre pregnant, have underlying health conditions, or are older than 65 years old, you should not try to treat a UTI without antibiotics.

Recommended Reading: Is Pumpkin Seed Oil Good For Overactive Bladder

What Other Lifestyle Changes Can A Person Make To Control Their Symptoms

A lot of OAB management comes down to lifestyle.

Certain foods and drinks can worsen symptoms, such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and chocolate. Cutting back on these items or avoiding them altogether can make a big difference for some people.

Smoking, having obesity, and drinking carbonated beverages can also worsen symptoms. Weight loss and smoking cessation may help OAB symptoms and benefit overall health.

Also Check: What Causes Bladder Control Problems

Recommended Reading: Can A Kidney Or Bladder Infection Cause Back Pain

To Use Oxybutynin Gel Follow These Steps:

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Seven Effective Treatments For Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder occurs when sudden or frequent urges to urinate become hard to control, and can often lead to leakage .

In order to best treat overactive bladder, a urologist must pinpoint the underlying cause. Treatment will depend on symptom severity and the degree to which they impact someone’s quality of life. In general, there are three approaches to treatment: medication, behavioral interventions, and surgery.

You May Like: Bladder Cancer Mets To Bone

Surgical Treatment For Overactive Bladder

Surgery may recommended for severe cases. The two most-commonly used procedures are:

• increases bladder size by removing a section of the bowel and adding it to the bladder. Increased bladder size allows someone to store more urine, reducing the urge to urinate. Possible complications include infection, blood clots, bowel obstruction, urinary fistula, and an increased risk of bladder tumors .
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation is a newer surgical technique that involves placing a small electrical device in the lower back. The device sends electrical impulses to the sacral nerve, which improves control of the muscles in the bladder and pelvic floor.

How Does Interstim Therapy Work

It is believed that one possible cause of overactive bladder is miscommunication between the brain and the sacral nerves when the brain and sacral nerves dont communicate correctly, the nerves will not tell the bladder to function correctly, which can cause bladder control problems.

The theory behind InterStim® Therapy is that gentle electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves reduces the signals to the nervous system which may be causing bladder control symptoms such as leaks, the sudden urge to go, or going too often.

Don’t Miss: Botox For Ms Bladder Problems

Other Treatments To Try

In rare cases when all OAB treatment fails and overactive bladder is severe, doctors may recommend one of several types of surgery.

A procedure called bladder augmentation uses part of the bowel to increase bladder capacity. Or, urinary diversion, an alternate route for bladder drainage for severe, complicated OAB patients.

Sacral nerve stimulation. Another procedure implants a small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin. The device is connected to a wire, which sends small electrical pulses to nerves around the pelvic floor that control the bladder and muscles surrounding it. This helps build bladder control. Itâs often called a bladder pacemaker. The main limitation with this treatment is that it keeps you from having a spinal MRI.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. The doctor places a needle on nerves near your ankle that affect bladder control. Youâll have one session a week for 12 weeks and then maintenance treatments as needed. This procedure is done in the office.

An overactive bladder doesnât have to get in the way of your daily life. With a little time, patience, and the right treatment, you can regain control — and peace of mind. Whatever treatment for overactive bladder you and your doctor decide upon, it’s important that you stick with it. If you do, chances are your condition will improve in time.

Show Sources

What To Know About Otc Salves

For all those scrapes , keep these creams close at hand.

Hydrocortizone cream: This mild corticosteroid calms inflammation and eases itching, which makes it a go-to for a variety of skin woes, including allergic rashes and poison ivy.

Antibiotic ointment: A quick swipe of bacitracin or Neosporin helps keep infection-causing bacteria at bay so that minor wounds can heal more quickly.

Aloe Vera: Too much fun in the sun? Ease sunburn discomfort with a moisturizer that contains aloe vera. If that doesnt work, try hydrocortisone cream.

Also Check: Bladder Cancer From Prostate Cancer

Urinary Incontinence In Older Adults

Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it may happen to anyone, urinary incontinence is more common in older people, especially women. Incontinence can often be cured or controlled. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do.

What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems? The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called the urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder dont work the way they should, urine can leak. Incontinence typically occurs if the muscles relax without warning.

Are Herbs And Supplements Safe

This is the classic “yes and no” answer.

Most herbs and supplements are natural. However, they can be just as potent as prescription medication. As such, they can be fraught with side effects and can interact with other medications, such as prescription medications that are prescribed for OAB.

Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve herbs as effective treatment methods. As such, they do not regulate them.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Most Common Treatment For Bladder Cancer

Azo Urinary Pain Relief

Similar to the previous product by AZO, this one contains Phenazopyridine as an active ingredient, just a lower dose .

Therefore, AZO Urinary Pain Relief has the same side-effects and method of action. It is also purely analgesic, containing no antimicrobial ingredient, and is sold at a lower price, as it contains lessPhenazopyridine per dose.

There are no other ingredients that add value and the same possible carcinogenic effects associated with using Phenazopyridine.

Nay On Horsetail Cranberries

Horsetail , an ancient plant that resembles a bristly tail when dried, may produce a mild diuretic effect. The goal of OAB treatment is control over random bladder spasms, not increased urine flow. The diuretic effect and lack of studies mean you should cross horsetail off your list if youre looking for help for OAB.

The same is true for cranberries. The fruit is very acidic, which may aggravate the symptoms of OAB. Cranberries may change the way bacteria adheres to the bladder in a urinary tract infection, but bacteria isnt involved in involuntary contractions that cause OAB.

Don’t Miss: Can You Treat A Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics