Urinary incontinence is a condition characterized by the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. It can happen to women and become a very stressful problem to deal with. If you're looking for solutions, these care steps are important to take.
Stop Smoking
When you cough, a lot of strain is put on your pelvic floor muscles. This makes it easier for urine to leak out. One bad habit that can lead to excessive coughing is smoking. Thus, if you're an avoid smoker, you should really consider stopping.
Stopping all together will prevent you from coughing a lot, and then your pelvic floor muscles can stay relaxed throughout the day. This will help cut down on urine leakage and also lead to other important health benefits. There are plenty of ways to quit smoking today, from nicotine patches to cognitive behavioral therapy. Just find something that works for you.
Try Losing Some Weight
Being a little heavier — especially around the upper thighs and lower midsection — can actually exacerbate symptoms of urinary incontinence. That's because your pelvic floor muscles aren't strong enough to effectively retain urine. Thus, if you're overweight in these areas, it will help to lose some weight.
Then, your pelvic floor muscles will be stronger and capable of working effectively throughout the day. Fatty tissue also won't be able to put pressure on your bladder. Losing weight really depends on staying committed with a diet and exercise routines. You may even want to hire a trainer to show you exercises that are conducive to your medical condition.
Utilize Physical Therapy
If nothing seems to be working in terms of helping you treat urinary incontinence, it may be time to go in for some physical therapy. Here, you'll be monitored by physical therapists who will put you through various routines designed to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Floor exercises are effective for this condition as they target the pelvic region. They can also take advantage of biofeedback. This is where you get in sync with your body's functions and gain control over your urge to urinate. Through physical therapy, you can gain some independence back.
Urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing problem to have, especially if the symptoms occur in public settings. The best thing you can do to combat this condition is to get proactive and try different care routines. Eventually, you'll find something that works perfectly for your particular condition. Talk to a doctor like Dr Jennifer Stebbing DO to learn more.
