This advertorial content is sponsored by Depend®.
Unlike the weather and taxes, a leaky bladder is something that can be controlled. It may not be possible to completely stop incontinence, but there are ways to tame it. With proper hydration and diet, regular exercise and pelvic exercise, incontinence products, and some training, you can show your bladder that you’re still the boss.
Lighten up – Sometimes it seems like a doctor’s remedy for everything: watch your weight. Sudden weight gain could cause incontinence, and “carrying excess weight also worsens the severity of urinary incontinence” according to the the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Maintain a healthy weight with regular exercise and a sensible diet.
Kegel exercises – Senior men and women can practice Kegel exercises to strengthen
Rush University Medical Center. The best part of these exercises is you can them while driving, watching TV, or in a waiting room. Simply squeeze your pelvic floor muscles for equal amounts of time. Try 10 seconds of squeezing followed by 10 seconds of relaxing. Repeat this three times a day to help control a leaky bladder.
Use incontinence products – Explore the range of Depend® incontinence products available for both men and women. Using these products will let you feel more at ease when you’re running errands, visiting with friends, or attending events.
See the doctor – Although incontinence affects over 13 million Americans. It is not considered an “inevitable” part of aging according to WebMD. If you have to use the bathroom more than two times per night, or you have other symptoms, schedule a check-up with your doctor to rule out disease or illness.
Stay hydrated – Skipping beverages will not help you control your bladder, it will only dehydrate you. If you’re not hydrated you could also experience a bout of constipation, and who needs that? Drink when you’re thirsty and limit beverages two hours before bedtime. What you drink also matters. Limit or avoid these beverages which can worsen incontinence according to the University of Maryland Medical Center:
* Beer, wine liquor
* Caffeinated coffee or tea
* Soda, seltzer, tonic water
* Cranberry, orange or grapefruit juices
Eat wisely – Choosing the right foods, including fiber-rich foods is one way to reduce constipation. There are also foods to avoid, including citrus foods including pineapple, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, and spicy foods. Keep a food diet for a month to determine which of these foods might be triggering your incontinence. Some may be irritating your bladder, and others may be fine to keep eating. Foods that may trigger urinary incontinence, according to WebMD:
* apples
* aged cheese
* bananas
* cranberries
* grapes
* onions
* processed foods
* sour cream
* tomatoes
Keep a food diet for a month to determine which of these foods might be triggering your incontinence. Some may be irritating your bladder, and others may be fine to keep eating.
