Urinary incontinence is a condition in which a person can no longer control their bladder. For people in the Inland Empire who are suffering from urinary incontinence, this means that they might feel themselves “leaking” or “dribbling” throughout the day.
It’s embarrassing, frustrating, and isolating. As an urology expert, Dr. Pedram Ilbeigi wants Rancho Mirage patients to know that they aren’t alone. Incontinence affects nearly a third of the population between the ages of 30 and 70 years old. The following tips can help you avoid becoming incontinent and can also help you fight off urinary incontinence if you already have the condition.
Tips for Fighting Urinary Incontinence
Live an active lifestyle, and try to maintain a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, there will be more pressure placed on your bladder. This can cause your bladder to feel full sooner and may also cause it to leak. Remember that you need to enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are crucial to battling incontinence.
Don’t forget to do your Kegel exercises. You might have heard of these exercises as a way to spice up your love life, but they can also help you keep your bladder under control. Kegel exercises involve squeezing your pelvic floor muscles in order to strengthen them. These exercises can help you maintain good control of your bladder.
Choose your beverages wisely. Drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine are known to keep your bladder stimulated, and can make incontinence worse. While you can certainly enjoy your favorite soda or a glass of wine every now and then, remember the importance of moderation.
Avoid smoking. As you know, smoking is detrimental to almost all aspects of your life, it even has a negative effect on your bladder. In addition to raising the risk of bladder cancer, smoking can also irritate the bladder and cause it to leak. Talk with your doctor about the best ways to quit smoking.
Talk with your doctor about any medications you are considering — even if they aren’t for incontinence. There are many prescriptions on the market today that are known for causing incontinence or making it worse. Depending on your condition, your doctor may have to prescribe you one of these medications anyway. However, talk with your health care professional about any alternative options that may not have a negative impact on your incontinence.
Urinary incontinence can make you feel like your life is limited. You may feel like you don’t want to go out with your friends, or do the things you used to love in order to avoid an embarrassing situation. However, this is no way to live your life and the impacts of incontinence can be managed.
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, be sure to set up a consultation appointment with Dr. Ilbeigi. He will help confirm the condition as well as provide you with a treatment and plan of action that allows you to live your life to the fullest once again.
