4 Tips for Managing an Overactive Bladder
With medications and simple changes in lifestyle, managing an overactive bladder (OAB) can be easy. Similar to limiting fluid intake and avoiding alcohol, several tips can help you control your bladder movements and enjoy a normal life. So here are some useful lifestyle tips to tackle an overactive bladder, which can help you live with the condition better and without compromising on your routine.
1. Keep your symptoms in check
One of the most useful lifestyle tips for an overactive bladder is to maintain a record of your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor. When you start keeping a record, you might notice that there are certain food items or fluids that are making the symptoms worse. Discussing these with your doctor will help you chalk out a plan to treat the symptoms accordingly and help you live a better life.
2. Understand that supplements are not the end solution
Popping pills or taking supplements to control OAB symptoms will not solve the situation permanently. It is important to understand this to live better. There is much more that you need to do, such as getting sufficient sleep, eating well, and working out regularly. All these things will help you ensure a healthy bladder. If you are not following these habits, then popping pills will not be able to compensate for it. Besides, you cannot ignore the side effects that supplements can have.
3. Check your fluid intake
Keeping your body hydrated is important, and we are well acquainted with that fact. However, that might not be the case if you have an overactive bladder. For some people, drinking at least eight glasses of water in a day can be too much, and for someone else, it might not be enough. Also, some people try to compensate for their poor eating habits or inadequate sleep with more water. But, that may just end up worsening the symptoms, as it increases bathroom visits and even causes urinary incontinence.
4. Manage your caffeine consumption
Both caffeinated and alcoholic drinks can irritate the bladder. Having these drinks can make the bladder more reactive and increase visits to the bathroom. If you start your day with coffee and have to travel a long way to work, then introduce some changes to your routine. Instead of drinking coffee the first thing in the morning or with breakfast, drink it once you have reached the office. By doing this, you can be near a bathroom whenever you have an urgency. If you feel the urgency to urinate at night, then avoid drinking fluids like wine before bed.