Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today to Tame Your Overactive Bladder Symptoms

Mary Ann Kenneson Urology Orange Park, Florida

Dr. Mary ann Kenneson is a urologist practicing in Orange Park, Florida. Dr. Kenneson specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. This includes areas of the bladder, urethra, kidneys, penis and prostate. Urology is a surgical specialty and requires knowledge in other areas of expertise... more

Though there is never a good time to experience an Overactive Bladder (OAB), certain times are definitely worse than others. Like, for example, during a yoga class or at your kid’s school play. Fortunately, when it comes to taming your OAB symptoms, there are many behavioral therapy strategies you can take and lifestyle changes you can make to keep calm, stay dry and give yourself relief.

Some of these are:

Limit trigger foods: Do you ever feel that certain foods trigger your OAB? You may be right. Experts say that some foods and beverages like caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, acidic fruits, carbonated beverages and spicy foods could actually be triggering your overactive bladder symptoms. Easy Tip: to find out which one of your favorite foods from the list above may be setting off your symptoms, try restricting one per week. If symptoms improve, you may have identified the culprit. Work on eliminating or limiting that food from your daily routine to keep urges and leaks at bay.
Get regular elimination: Let’s face it, being constipated is the worst. And if you are already suffering from OAB, it’s even more aggravating. A full colon puts extra pressure on your bladder making your already-there symptoms even more apparent. The good news is that there are things you can do to promote healthy (and regular) elimination and say bye-bye to constipation. Daily exercise, lots of water and choosing foods high in fiber like beans, oatmeal, and fresh fruits and veggies will get things moving for you. In some instances, fiber supplementation may be recommended by your healthcare provider for an extra added boost.
Shed excess pounds: Even a slight weight loss can help alleviate your OAB symptoms. Hello workouts, goodbye stubborn poundage and OAB.
Engage your floor: Understanding the pelvic floor muscle system and how it plays into OAB can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Strengthening your pelvic floor can provide better bladder control.
Time your tinkles: Get relief from your OAB symptoms by timing your tinkles. Scheduling bathroom breaks every two hours instead of waiting for the urge to strike can help prevent accidents. Talk to your doctor about “timed voiding”, which trains your bladder to go at the same time every day.
Keep the fluids flowing: Even if you’re struggling with incontinence, don’t restrict your fluids. Doing so can lead to dehydration, constipation and more concentrated urine. These increase your risk for bladder irritation and can lead to more intense OAB symptoms, so make sure you are staying hydrated throughout the day.