Tips To Get Your Bladder Under Control
Take control of your bladder
Do you find yourself struggling to make it to the bathroom in time? Urinary incontinence is a common condition. Your doctor can help you understand whats causing it and recommend a treatment plan.
Lifestyle changes can also help get your bladder under control. Learn about six steps you can take to reduce your risk of accidents and help you get back to enjoying everyday activities, leak-free.
How To Solve Bladder Control Problems
ByFred Cicettipublished 22 July 09
This Week’s Question:This is embarrassing to discuss with anyone so I thought I’d write to you about it. I’m having bladder-control problems. What can I do?
About 10 percent of men and women over the age of 65 have trouble with bladder control, also know officially as urinary incontinence. Women suffer from this more than men.
During urination, muscles in the bladder contract, forcing urine into the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the urine pass. If the bladder muscles contract or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax without warning, the result is incontinence.
Short-term incontinence is caused by infections, constipation, and some medicines. If the problem persists, it might be caused by weak bladder muscles, overactive bladder muscles, blockage from an enlarged prostate, damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s.
Treatable condition
In most cases urinary incontinence can be treated and controlled, if not cured. If you are having bladder control problems, go to your doctor. Doctors see this problem all the time, so there is no need to be embarrassed.
Your doctor may do a number of tests on your urine, blood and bladder. You may be asked to keep a daily chart about your urination.
There are several different types of urinary incontinence:
Plugs, medicines and surgery
What Foods And Drinks To Avoid
While you may want to drink less liquid so you dont have to urinate as often, you should still make sure you stay hydrated. More concentrated urine, usually darker in color, can irritate your bladder and cause more frequent urination.
Other foods and drinks can contribute to OAB symptoms, including:
- alcohol
- tea
- tomato-based foods
You can test which drinks or foods irritate your bladder by eliminating them from your diet. Then reincorporate them one by one every two to three days at a time. Permanently eliminate the particular food or drink that worsens your symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Over The Counter Bladder Medication
How Is Incontinence Diagnosed
Often, the diagnosis process for incontinence will start with a conversation with your healthcare provider about your medical history and bladder control issues. Your provider might ask you questions like:
- How often do you urinate?
- Do you leak urine between trips to the toilet, how often does this happen and how much urine do you leak each time?
- How long have you been experiencing incontinence?
These questions can help your provider figure out a pattern with your leakage, which often points to a specific type of incontinence. When your provider is asking about your medical history, its important to list all of your medications because some medications can cause incontinence. Your provider will also ask about any past pregnancies and the details around each delivery.
There are also several specific tests that your provider might do to diagnose incontinence, including:
While at home, your provider might recommend you keep track of any leakage in a journal for a few days. By writing down how often you experience incontinence issues over the span of a few days, your provider might be able to identify a pattern. This can really help in the diagnosis process. Make sure to write down how often you need to urinate, how much you are able to go each time, if you leak between trips to the bathroom and any activities you might be doing when you leak urine. Youll then bring this journal with you to your appointment and talk about it with your provider.
The Link Between Weak Bladder And Oab
When the smooth muscle within the bladder becomes overactive, it can lead to improper contraction and relaxation of the muscle. Problems in the nerves that stimulate the bladder, as well as some neurological conditions, may lead to OAB.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, as many as 30% of men and 40% of women in the United States have OAB symptoms.
The muscles in the lower abdomen that support the bladder and urethra are known as the pelvic muscles. For women, these muscles often stretch and weaken during pregnancy and childbirth, which can cause organs in the abdomen to shift.
A lack of muscle support around the bladder can cause sagging, which can lead to leakage. This can lead to stress incontinence, which often results from a mix of OAB and urge incontinence.
If a person is experiencing frequent urination or having urine leakage after a sudden urge to urinate, it may be time to talk with a doctor about treatment options to help with OAB.
However, there are also several lifestyle changes that a person can make to help to calm the bladder muscle, which may help improve OAB symptoms. Read on to learn more.
The sections below provide suggestions for ways to help manage a weak bladder, which may also improve OAB symptoms.
You May Like: Can Lower Back Pain Cause Bladder Problems
Am I At A Higher Risk Of Incontinence At An Older Age
Your body constantly changes throughout your life. As you age, the muscles that support your pelvic organs can weaken. This means that your bladder and urethra have less support often leading to urine leakage. Your risk for developing incontinence as you age might be higher if you have a chronic health condition, have given birth to children, went through menopause, have an enlarged prostate or have had prostate cancer surgery. Its important to talk to your healthcare provider over time about the risks of incontinence and ways you can manage it without interference to your daily life.
Who Is At Risk For Urinary Incontinence
In adults, you are at higher risk of developing UI if you:
- Are female, especially after going through pregnancy, childbirth, and/or menopause
- Are older. As you age, your urinary tract muscles weaken, making it harder to hold in urine.
- Are a man with prostate problems
- Have certain health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, or long-lasting constipation
- Are a smoker
- Have a birth defect that affects the structure of your urinary tract
In children, bedwetting is more common in younger children, boys, and those whose parents wet the bed when they were children.
Recommended Reading: Used Marine Fuel Bladder For Sale
A Stony Path To Healing
I have been raised by a mother who always favoured natural remedies over orthodox medication so I was reluctant to follow the orthodox path. I had also not gotten much help from the doctors I visited and felt thoroughly let down.
Additionally, I was not prepared to live a life in chronic pain. I could not imagine myself being someone who has a chronic disease!
It was starting to really get in the way of my life and relationships.
Therefore, I started looking for answers.
I came across candida and the raw vegan diet. Having already been a vegetarian for most of my life, the switch seemed to make sense. I started juicing and eating superfoods. I took natural antifungals to kill off the candida I thought I had. I cut out sugar and processed foods.
6 months later, my bladder still hurt and my gut was on fire. I had extreme food intolerances and every bit of sugar or starch made my bladder flare up. I was cold all the time.
All the while, I kept researching.
Can Swim Bladder Disorder Spread
Swim bladder disorder itself is not contagious, but the cause of it can be.
If the SBD is caused by a bacterial infection or parasites, then this can spread to other fish. If its due to constipation or a genetic disorder, then no it cannot.
In all cases, swift treatment is recommended, despite what the cause may be.
Also Check: What Kind Of Doctor Does Bladder Prolapse Surgery
Fish With This Type Of Condition Often Inappropriately Float Or Sink
Shirlie Sharpe is an aquatic expert and writer with over three decades of experience keeping and raising ornamental fish. She has consulted with The Minnesota Zoo and the National Aquarium and has also authored a book on setting up aquariums.
Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, is an accomplished veterinarian and writer with over two decades of experience in vet medicine, animal welfare, and conservation. She participates in The Spruce Pets’ veterinary review board and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
- Pin
Swim bladder disorder refers to a collection of issues affecting the swim bladder, rather than a single disease. Although commonly seen in goldfish and bettas, it can strike virtually any species of fish.
Treating Swim Bladder Disorder
Recommended Reading: Does Overactive Bladder Go Away
Avoid Excess Caffeine Intake
The effects of caffeine on the bladder are twofold. Caffeine irritates the muscles of the bladder, which can cause muscle spasms that increase the frequency and urgency of urination. Caffeine is also a mild diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of water released in urine.
It may be worth avoiding beverages that are high in caffeine, such as coffee, energy drinks, or green teas. Instead, opt for beverages that are decaffeinated or contain no caffeine, such as water or herbal teas.
Home Care And Support
Changes in your childs routines and behavior may greatly improve daytime wetting, even without other treatments. Encourage your child to
- use the bathroom whenever the urge occurs.
- drink more liquid, mainly water, if the doctor suggests doing so. Drinking more liquid produces more urine and more trips to the bathroom.
- take extra time in the bathroom to relax and empty the bladder completely.
- avoid drinks with caffeine or bubbles, citrus juices, and sports drinks. These drinks may irritate the bladder or produce extra urine.
Children need plenty of support from parents and caregivers to overcome daytime wetting, not blame or punishment. Calming your childs stresses may helpstresses about a new baby or new school, for example. A counselor or psychologist can help treat anxiety.
Don’t Miss: Stress Incontinence Vs Overactive Bladder
Natural Treatments And Home Remedies
In general, to prevent urological disease, it is best if you learn which of your lifestyle habits are worsening the issue and avoid them. There may be simple things you can do at home to keep these ailments at bay.
- Regular intake of liquids said to help keep infections at bay. There is enough scientific study to show that intake of adequate fluids does help immensely to prevent urinary problems.
- Follow the right practices with respect to hygiene- such as, wiping from front to back after bowel movements should be done.
- Letting your skin breathe, that is, wearing comfortable, breathable fabric next to skin and wearing them loose enough to allow passage of air, help control bacteria build up.
- Use a cleansing liquid that is especially designed for sensitive areas of you body. Your regular soap may be too harsh and your skin may be prone to infections if you use the same soap in these parts.
> > > All Natural Technique Fixes Enlarged Prostate Watch Here< <
Surgical procedures to remove the diseased prostate are usually necessary. Surgical procedures are not always necessary. If the disease is caused by bacterial infections, a doctor can treat the symptoms using alpha-blockers or surgery. Physical therapy, relaxation exercises, and warm baths are all recommended. A physician may also prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. A bacterial infection can also cause a recurrence of the condition.
An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable for both men and women. Some of the symptoms of an enlarged male reproductive organ include a weakened urine stream, urgent need to urinate, and urinary tract infections. BPH can also cause damage to the kidneys. A sudden inability to urinate can be life-threatening, as it can lead to bladder and kidney damage. Unfortunately, most men with enlarged prostrates put up with the symptoms for years before they seek treatment. However, many of the men with symptoms finally decide to go to a doctor for proper gynecological evaluation and to begin enlarged prostatic therapy.
You May Like: Bladder Control Problems At Night
What Does A Healthy Gallbladder Do
The gallbladder is a small four inch sac located just below the liver. It accumulates a liquid mixture known as bile that contains 97% water, 0.7% bile salts , 0.51% fats , 0.2% bilirubin , and a trace amount of inorganic salts . As food travels out of the stomach and in to the small intestines , cells that line the intestinal walls sense the fats and amino acids in the food and release a hormone called CCK . This bile sac-moving hormone signals the gallbladder to squeeze forcing the bile into the upper intestines where it helps to digest fats found in foods. Simultaneously, CCK also signals digestive enzymes to be released from the pancreas.
Burning Questions About Bladder Prolapse Surgery With Mesh Repair
Are you apprehensive because your doctor says bladder prolapse surgery is the best solution for your fallen bladder?
Do you try to make sense of all the crazy stories about mesh complications?
A prolapse of the bladder, or cystocele, occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments become weaker or even stretched. Often they call it a fallen bladder as it is causing the bladder to fall against or into the vagina.
When a prolapsed bladder is severe it may feel as if your bladder is dropping out of your vagina. You may feel ashamed because of your increasing incontinence, and intercourse may be painful when your partner pushes against the bladder.
Bladder prolapse is more likely to occur after a hysterectomy as this surgery affects the ligaments, muscles, and other support structures of the pelvic floor.
Also Check: Best Over The Counter Bladder Control Medication
Do The Right Exercises
High-impact exercise and sit-ups put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and can increase leaks.
To strengthen your pelvic floor to relieve symptoms, replace high-impact exercise, such as jogging and aerobics, with strengthening exercise, such as pilates.
Pilates strengthens your core muscles, which is beneficial for stress incontinence.
How To Treat Swim Bladder Disease In Bettas
The type of treatment youre going to need really depends on whats causing swim bladder disease to occur. If you have a quarantine tank handy then in most cases its a good idea to move your betta into one, so you can treat him without worrying about medicating the other fish and plants in your tank as well.
You May Like: How To Fix Bladder Leakage Naturally
What Is Postpartum Incontinence
During and following pregnancy, as many as 4 in 10 women experience urinary incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine. Despite the normalcy of incontinence after childbirth, many new mothers may feel shame or embarrassment about this change in their bodies.
The lack of dialogue about incontinence in many communities also leads some women to assume that this is an issue with no easy solutions. Truthfully, incontinence is not only very common, but also responds to a number of noninvasive treatment options that can greatly improve or eliminate symptoms.
There are several types of urinary incontinence, but most postpartum women experience stress incontinence. Laughing, coughing, sneezing, jumping and other activities can put extra pressure on the bladder sphincter, the muscular valve at the bottom of the bladder that controls urine flow. This pressure can lead to urine leakage, or stress incontinence, during those activities.
What If There Was A Less Invasive Way Than Surgery To Relieve Symptoms In People With Gallbladder Disease
You may be able to prevent gallbladder surgery by eliminating certain foods from your diet.
Back in 1968 a doctor by the name of J.C. Brenemen published a paper in the journal Annals of Allergy. He was able to relieve symptoms associated with gallstones in 100% of his subjects by doing an Elimination Diet for 1 week. Most symptoms improved within only 3-5 days. When certain foods were added back in the diet, the symptoms would return. Three common foods accounted for the vast majority of reactions. Egg was problematic in 93% of people, pork in 64%, and onion in 52%. Other foods included fowl, milk, coffee, oranges, corn, beans, nuts, apples, and tomatoes. By simply removing the foods, these patients were able to eliminate their symptoms.
Over my ten years in clinical practice I have noticed that those clients who went on an Elimination Diet would often heal their gallbladder symptoms, and avoid gallbladder surgery. By observing my clients, I found that there was one additional food reaction contributing to gallstone disease that Brenemen was missing in his 1968 studygluten.
Read Also: What Vitamins Are Good For Bladder Health
Symptoms Related To Overfeeding/constipation/too Much Air
If your bettas swim bladder disease is being caused by any of the above you will notice the following symptoms:
- Trouble swimming and buoyancy problems You may notice your betta unable to move from the substrate in your tank or on the other hand he may only be able to float on the surface of the water.
- Lopsided swimming as well as floating on the surface or sinking to the bottom its not uncommon to notice a betta with swim bladder disease swimming on his side or swimming lopsidedly.
- Struggling to maintain a normal position This is a classic one. No matter how much your betta swims in a certain area, he will always begin dropping down or floating up.
- A distended belly or curved back This is a tell-tale sign of constipation or overfeeding. However, if along with this symptom you also notice your bettas scales are pineconing then he is suffering from dropsy .
- Affected appetite Your betta may lose his appetite completely and not want to eat. Or he may have trouble eating if hes stuck on the bottom or top of the tank.
- Lethargy If youve ever eaten so much you dont want to move then you know how your betta feels when its been overfed. Lethargy is a classic sign but beware, in some cases, it could occur because of an infection.
If your betta is bloated but youre not sure its swim bladder disease, here are all the things it could be.