While severe bladder dysfunction needs treatment, some of the symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and coping strategies. Follow these lifestyle changes to manage bladder dysfunction to overcome the daily life challenges of bladder dysfunction. Learn about lifestyle changes for managing bladder dysfunction symptoms in this article. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com.

 

 

Lifestyle Changes for Managing Bladder Dysfunction

  1. Maintain a healthy weight:

If you’re overweight or obese, you are more prone to develop urinary incontinence because it weakens your pelvic floor muscles due to fatty tissue pressure on the bladder. One study of women over the age of 70 shows that urinary incontinence or stress urinary incontinence is twofold higher among those who have the highest BMI category than the lowest.

Additionally, women who take action to lose at least 5% of their BMI had a lower chance of experiencing new or persistent stress urinary incontinence over 3 years than those who lost less weight.

So, you should aim to lower your BMI if you’re overweight or obese to keep your urinary incontinence under control. To lower your BMI, you can follow these healthy lifestyle choices, such as:

  • Brisk walking for 30 minutes on 5 days of the week.
  • Lower your calorie intake.
  • Focus on a balanced diet by adding lots of fruits and vegetables.
  • Fill half your plate with vegetables at mealtimes.
  • Replace refined grains with whole grains.
  • Increase your fiber intake.
  • Avoid sugary snacks and cut down on saturated fats.
  • Quit or limit processed foods.

You can also hire a dietitian to create your eating plan which is both healthy and balanced to ensure you get all necessary nutrients according to your body requirements.

 

  1. Limit or cut down on alcohol and caffeine:

Alcohol and caffeinated beverages can irritate your bladder which increases your urine production. So, it is recommended that you should limit your coffee or alcohol-related beverage consumption.

One study published in The Journal of Urology unearthed a link between drinking coffee and urinary incontinence in men and found that drinking 2 cups of coffee per day can enhance male urinary incontinence. This analysis shows that men who consumed more than 234 milligrams of caffeine daily are 72% more likely to experience moderate to severe urinary incontinence than those who consumed none at all. Another study showed that an intake of at least 204 milligrams of caffeine per day was also linked with urinary incontinence in women.

So, replace all the drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine with water and herbal or fruit teas to lower your incontinence symptoms.

 

  1. Practice yoga:

Practicing the ancient art of yoga may reduce your urinary incontinence symptoms and allow you to gain more control over urination and avoid accidental leakage. Individuals who participate in yoga programs that are designed to improve pelvic health experience a 70% reduction in their urine leakage. Researchers believe yoga can improve urinary incontinence for multiple reasons.

For instance, incontinence is often linked with anxiety and depression. People benefit from mindful meditation and the relaxation techniques of yoga. Regular yoga practice can strengthen pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and safeguard from incontinence. You can look for a yoga instructor online who teaches you yoga that strengthens pelvic floor muscles or check for yoga programs online.

 

  1. Treat constipation promptly:

During bowel movements, strain can damage the pelvic floor muscles, making urinary incontinence worse. Never ignore the urge to poo and if you have constipation, then diet or lifestyle changes can help. Keep in mind that some medicines used to treat bladder control problems can make constipation worse. So, you should focus on diet and lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and eating more fibrous foods like lentils, beans, vegetables, and fruits to manage your constipation.

 

 

If you need help with bladder dysfunction, visit our urology clinic in Brooklyn for professional medical treatment and free management tips for better bladder functionality. You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center’s best urologist in Brooklyn and inquire about your concerns. Our specialists will work with you in managing your condition. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.