Urinary incontinence (UI) is a term that describes the loss of bladder control. Women experience this condition double as often as men. Symptoms can vary from mild leaking to irrepressible wetting. Most of these problems occur when bladder muscles are too active or too weak.
People often find this condition uncomfortable and don’t want to talk about it. According to the National Association for Continence, up to 26 million people in America struggle with urinary incontinence. There are certain types of incontinence that can be treated with medications or natural remedies, depending on how serious they are.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
- Stress – mild leaking of urine during physical movements (sneezing, coughing, exercising);
- Overactive bladder – frequent and urgent urination;
- Urge – unexpected leaking of urine, including during sleep;
- Overflow – unexpected leaking of urine as a reason of full bladder;
- Transient – leakage that happens temporarily because of infection, colds with coughing, or taking medications, and
- Mixed – Generally the urge incontinence and occurrence of stress together.
Natural Treatments
There are certain medications and surgeries that can help overactive bladder, depending on the cause of the issue, but there are other options as well. Lifestyle changes, exercises, herbal treatments, and some supplements can help.
People with overactive bladder often prefer trying home treatment over medication as the first course of action.
Here are 7 to consider:
- Kegel Exercises
These exercises are the most important remedy. They involve activating the same muscles you use in order to stop the urinary flow. Kegel exercises can be useful in the early stages of UI and after an overactive bladder surgery.
You should consult with a physical therapist who will give you guidance what to do and how often. You can feel the results after 6-12 weeks of regular practice.
- Lose weight
This is an important step to reduce the severity of the incontinence because excess belly fat puts pressure on the pelvic muscles and the bladder.
If you are overweight, you should lose some weight to ease your overactive bladder.
- Magnesium
It is a significant mineral for proper nerve and muscle function that can help to restore your bladder control.
According to experts, women who take magnesium pills 2 times per day, or eat magnesium-rich food have great improvement in their urinary incontinence.
Many doctors think that magnesium can relieve UI because it decreases bladder muscle spasms and thus, allows the bladder to empty completely.
Consume more magnesium-rich foods, such as potatoes, bananas, and corn, but consult your doctor before taking any magnesium supplements.
- Vitamin D
It promotes good bone health and calcium intake. Studies suggest that it can also decrease the risks of urinary incontinence.
The research found that older women who have normal levels of vitamin D are less likely to develop any type of incontinence.
However, there are many women who are short on this vitamin. Remember to take your daily intake of Vitamin D with eggs, fish, fortified milk and exposure to the sun.
Extra tip: The daily dose for women is 600 IU of Vitamin D.
- Yoga
Yoga will help you to tighten the muscles and provide benefits similar to those of Kegel exercises. Further, yoga is great for relaxation and aids to relieve depression and anxiety associated with overactive bladder.
Join a yoga class and try some amazing poses like Chair Pose (Utkatasana), Root Lock (Mula bandha), Squat Pose (Malasana), and Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), which will help to restore your bladder control.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a really popular method in Chinese medicine that can help you reduce incontinence.
It will help to strengthen the urinary system and correct the imbalance of your kidneys. Moreover, it can help you increase the ability to hold the urine and decrease urinary urgency. Find a qualified acupuncturist and get your treatment!
Get your acupuncture treatment done by a qualified acupuncturist!
- Quit smoking
If case you are a smoker, you need to reduce or quit smoking, because nicotine can irritate your bladder. Therefore, people who smoke are more likely to have incontinence than nonsmokers.
Moreover, a smoker has a tendency to cough more than a non-smoker chronic, and coughing has been considered at great risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
- Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water and other healthy fluids is crucial for treating incontinence. If you are not hydrated enough, you can end up constipated that can irritate your bladder and cause urinary incontinence.
Consume 6-8 cups of liquid a day. Apart from water, you can also drink natural juices and teas (here are effective herbal treatments for urinary incontinence LINK).
Conclusion:
Along with home treatments, medications can also help to restore your bladder control. Discuss all treatment possibilities with your doctor or urologist. Fill them in on all the techniques you currently use to treat urinary incontinence at home.