Natural Treatment Strategies For Overactive Bladder
Once a physician diagnoses overactive bladder, the cause still needs to be determined. The most distinguishing factor is whether the symptoms are caused by the nervous system, or the wiring of your body that helps you control your muscles .
Natural strategies to help with these symptoms are individualized to address the root cause of overactive bladder. Physicians such as naturopathic doctors work alongside urologists and neurologists to provide the most appropriate care. They may incorporate herbal medicine, mind-body techniques such as biofeedback, and appropriate lifestyle and diet changes to manage your symptoms. Obesity is a significant contributing factor in overactive bladder, and your physician will work with you on weight loss if it is a health concern.
Treatment of overactive bladder requires a team approach to properly diagnose, treat and support patients afflicted by these symptoms. If you feel you have symptoms consistent with overactive bladder, don’t hesitate to see your physician to receive expert help with this common problem.
Brendan Smith, ND, naturopathic physician and resident at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, the teaching clinic of Bastyr University. Call 834-4100 to schedule an appointment.
How To Manage An Overactive Bladder
- Do pelvic floor or Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Set a schedule for your toilet trips and follow it regularly.
- Train your bladder to hold in the urge to urinate every now and then. Gradually work your way to pee every 3-4 hours instead of every 20-30 minutes.
An overactive bladder is characterized by the need to urinate frequently. One may also find it difficult to control the urge to urinate. Urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and nocturia are the common symptoms of this condition. Diabetes, neurological disorders, medications like diuretics, urinary tract infections, and bladder abnormalities are the common causes of such bladder problems. However, there are some effective natural remedies for overactive bladder. Pumpkin seed oil, Chinese herbs, vitamin D, capsaicin, and green tea are popular remedies that may help improve the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Home Remedies To Treat Overactive Bladder
1. Corn Silk
This is a waste material that is left behind after corn cultivation. Corn silk is also used as a medicine for curing many ailments such as bedwetting and irritation. It can help in treating overactive bladder by eating it in small amount daily. This will strengthen your mucous membranes in the urinary tract and prevent urine from leaking. Corn silk can also prevent overactive bladder if had from beginning.
2. Pumpkin Seeds
These are widely used as a natural remedy for treating digestive problems and inflammation. Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that improve abnormal frequency of urination. It also helps to treat urinary functions that go wrong and reduces overactive bladder issues. Pumpkin seeds can also be had with soybean seed extract to increase its affect and reduce incontinence. Pumpkin seeds also have omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for digestion and health.
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3. Kohki Tea
Kohki tea is found in subtropical regions. Its origin is from a subtropical plant which mostly grows in china and is sweet in its original flavour. This tea has anti-oxidants that are beneficial for bladder health and has protective effects of the bladder. Kohki tea is also beneficial for treating partial bladder obstruction and contractile response. It can he had with little water or soy milk for better effects. Drink it twice for few days to treat overactive bladder problems.
4. Eating to Reduce Constipation
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Dietary Changes For Utis
Some natural remedies you could consider for a UTI include dietary changes and supplements. Since a UTI is a microbial infection, drinking eight glasses of water a day3 will help to flush the germs through your body. Also, some foods and drinks may irritate the bladder while you have a urinary tract infection, you should avoid:
- caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and cola
- acidic foods, such as citrus and tomatoes4
On the other hand, plenty of foods and drinks can help relieve urinary tract infection symptoms. For example, you could try increasing your intake of:
- Vitamin C, either through supplements or by eating fruit and vegetables, such as red peppers and kiwis
- unsweetenedcranberry juice though there are conflicting studies on the effectiveness of cranberry juice in preventing UTIs, drinking extra fluids is a plus! You could also try cranberry extract
- probiotics, found naturally in cultured yoghurt and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha. These increase the good bacteria in your gut and help you fight infections
- garlic extract garlic is shown to have antimicrobial properties and may prevent the growth of further bacteria
- D-Mannose.This is a sugar, found in cranberries and other foods like seaweed, that may be effective in treating UTIs5
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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:
- 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.
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Gorge On Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C increases the acidity in the urine, thus limiting the growth of bladder infections causing bacteria. Also, it boosts immunity.
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Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the readers situation.
Diagnosis Of Overactive Bladder
First of all the revelation of symptoms during history taking will point towards the overactive bladder and to confirm your doctor must advise you certain tests in order to confirm it. Physical examination including rectal and pelvic examination can be done for women. Urine tests are done to evaluate infections if any present, and certain neurological examinations are done if needed to identify abnormal reflexes or sensory problems.
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Herbal Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection
- Buchu is a South American herb prescribed by herbalists to treat recurring urinary tract infections and support overall bladder health. Buchu is a soothing diuretic that also has mild antiseptic properties. Known to have an antibacterial effect, Buchu may also help with prevent bladder inflammation.
- Cornsilk is hair-like thread found atop ears of corn and beneath cornhusks. High in flavonoids, it can be an effective solution for women who get frequent urinary infections. Cornsilk reduces inflammation and can reduce the accompanying urge to urinate. It can also have a soothing effect on the urinary tract.
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Do I Really Have To See A Doctor For A Uti
It may seem unnecessary to see a doctor for such a common illness. Why not just let it go and treat it on your own? Dr. Elizabeth Rice, a licensed naturopathic doctor and primary care physician at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, has tips for natural treatments, but says you always have to be careful. A partially treated or mistreated UTI can quickly become a serious condition known as pyelonephritis , so care must always be taken when treating UTIs naturally.
If youre just starting to feel or see potential UTI symptoms, you can try a few natural remedies to try to flush out the bacteria and reduce inflammation before the infection really takes hold, Rice says. Increase your intake of fluids to help flush the bladder. But if the symptoms persist more than a day, or get worse, you have to go to the doctor.
Going to the doctor may be a bit annoying, but a UTI that morphs into a kidney infection is way worse than an afternoon in the waiting room. Kidney infections can lead to potentially life-threatening sepsis or permanent kidney damage. Seeing a doctor to prescribe antibiotics may ultimately help you avoid a lifetime of medical complications.
You know your body best, so listen to it. You may not run to the doctor after one weird-feeling pee. If you start to have mild symptoms, here are a few natural choices that may help you out.
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Analyse And Cut Back On Bladder Irritants
Avoid eating spicy food, chilli peppers and acidic foods, as these could trigger irritation in your bladder. Besides, analyze the food items which cause irritation in the bowel and try to cut back on them.
Avoid the intake of such food items especially before going to bed, as it could make conditions much worse. Try including some herbal juices in your diet as it would decrease the acidic secretion in the bladder, giving you some relief.
Urinary Incontinence In Middle Tennessee
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, overactive bladder syndrome, or enlarged prostate, it may be worth it to try natural supplements. Of course, you need to consult your physician before starting vitamins or supplements, to ensure they will not react with your medications or have any adverse effects. If you live around Nashville, Tennessee our team of expert physicians would love to help. Contact our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge by phone or private message today.
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Symptoms Of Frequent Urination:
Frequent urination is itself a symptom which can occur due to any of the above-stated causes. If you notice that you are urinating more than four to eight times a day, you might be having the issue of frequent urination. When you consult your physician, you may have to undergo an examination and tests such as urine test, ultrasound and/or cystoscopy to track down the cause of frequent urination.1
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Do Regular Kegel Exercises
Once you find your pelvic floor muscles, you can complete regular Kegel exercises to strengthen them. Simply contract your pelvic floor muscles, hold them for five to ten seconds, and relax them. The Urology Care Foundation suggests that you complete at least two sessions of Kegel exercises per day. Up to 30 contractions per session.
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Can Overactive Bladder Be Controlled
Overactive bladder therapy can be challenging to manage. However, many people are very satisfied with the treatment they receive and they often see a dramatic improvement in their quality of life. Your doctor will guide you to the best steps to begin with and give you options for any additional treatments you may need over time.
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Home Remedies For Treating Overactive Bladder Problems
Overactive bladder can cause many health problems and social embarrassment, try these home remedies to treat this condition.
There are many problems that are associated with our urinary system. Not all the problems can be considered as a disease but are quite serious issues. Overactive bladder is one such condition in this a person has the urge to urinate more frequently than normal which is not good for health. This can happen both during the day and in the night. Overactive bladder also results to urgency and uncontrollable urge, that means a person loses his control to urinate and sometimes leaks urine trying to control. This can affect your social life and relationships, hence it is important to treat it. Here are some home remedies that you should try to treat your overactive bladder.
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Botox For An Overactive Bladder
Although not commonly used, Botox is a handy muscle relaxer for a variety of conditions, including an overactive bladder. The compound is injected right into the bladder, and patients can experience fewer uncomfortable contractions and increased bladder capacity for up to a year after the injection has taken place.
However, Botox isnt without its dangers. Some patients find that after the procedure they retain urine too much, and experience pain and complications . For these reasons, Botox for overactive bladder treatment is only considered for certain people.
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When To See A Doctor For A Uti
Always go to your primary care physician immediately if there is blood in the urine, if you have a fever, and/or low back pain with your UTI symptoms, Sajdak advises. UTIs can move fast, so its better to go sooner than later.
Although natural remedies can be beneficial for alleviating UTI symptoms and preventing recurrent UTIs, they may not be effective in treating the infection.
If symptoms still persist after three days then it is time to move on to antibiotics, says Ivy Branin, ND, a naturopathic doctor in New York City who specializes in womens health. I often recommend a patient to see their doctor for a UA and a prescription for antibiotics just in case and to fill it if they have no improvement after three days.
Leaving a UTI untreated can cause additional health problems. Bacteria can reach the ureters or kidneys and cause kidney infections. Untreated UTIs during pregnancy can also potentially cause early labor and low birth weight. Seeking treatment for UTI that isnt going awayor one that keeps coming backis always a good thing.
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.
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Dietary Changes And Fluid Management
One of the most straightforward methods in the treatment of OAB involves making dietary changes. This involves cutting out several known food irritants from the diet and limiting fluid intake.
Foods to avoid
Foods and drinks, which are known to cause or worsen the symptoms of OAB include:
As triggers from food vary from person to person, it can be helpful for people to keep a diary detailing food intake and bladder symptoms. A diary can help people work out which foods are causing the greatest problems.
Manage fluid intake
Drinking enough water is essential for health. Too little water can lead to concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder lining, increasing urgency. Too many liquids may worsen frequency symptoms. Fluid intake before bed can contribute to urinating during the night.
A , published in Research and Reports in Urology, recommends limiting fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, and avoiding liquids for 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Natural Remedies For An Overactive Bladder
1. Kegel Exercises
If a weak pelvic floor is at the root of your OAB then kegel exercises can help a lot. These pelvic floor exercises can be done anywhere at anytime and they benefit both men and women. When done regularly, they can really help an overactive bladder.
Melody Denson, MD, a board-certified urologist with the Urology Team in Austin, TX, recommends these exercises for OAB. She says, They will trigger a reflex mechanism to relax the bladder. If you feel a tremendous urge to urinate, doing a kegel before you run to the bathroom will help settle down the bladder spasm and help you hold it until you get there.
2. Avoid Dietary Triggers
Significantly reduce the following foods and drinks that are known to contribute to overactive bladder:
- Soda and other carbonated beverages
- Artificial sweeteners
- Milk and milk products
- Sugar and high sugar foods
Caffeine, alcohol and certain medications like diuretics are known to be major causes of acute incontinence, especially in the elderly population. Cranberry juice is surprisingly another thing to avoid if you have OAB. Although cranberry juice is often recommend for bladder health, it actually acts as an irritant if you have OAB.
3. Watch Fluid Intake
4. Double-Void
5. Schedule bathroom trips
6. Delay Urination
7. Try Acupuncture
8. Stop Smoking
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Herbal Supplements For Oab
An abundance of herbal products claim to give you confidence, make your bladder better, or help you go less. However, the science behind these assertions is very thin. Some animal studies show a potential effect of certain herbs on the bladder, but the studies are small and havent been repeated on a large scale in humans, if at all.
study involving 44 women with OAB in Japan demonstrated decreased urinary frequency and improvement on a quality-of-life scale in those who took 7.5 g of gosha-jinki-gan daily for eight weeks. Larger-scale studies would need to confirm the results.
The Chinese herbal blend hachi-mi-jio-ganHE for shortcontains several of the same herbs found in gosha-jinki-gan. HE may inhibit bladder contractions prompted by the chemical acetylcholine, according to a Japanese study done on rats. No human trials have been conducted.