Behavioral Training & Diet
Controlling Your Bladder Symptoms

By speaking to a healthcare professional, you have taken the first step toward maintaining better bladder control. Behavior therapy and medications are available to reduce common bladder symptoms.

 

In addition, many individuals find they can reduce their bladder problems by taking the following steps:

 

* Monitor Your Diet

* Monitor Your Medication

* Maintain Bowel Regularity

* Keep a Healthy Weight

* Stop Smoking

* Drink Plenty of Nonirritating Water

 

 

 

Monitor Your Diet

Diet

Eliminate or decrease foods or beverages that may worsen your bladder symptoms. Some known offenders include:

* Tea * Caffeinated soft drinks
* Coffee * Tomato-based products
* Alcohol * Spicy and acidic foods and drinks
* Chocolate * Artificial sweeteners

 

(Even decaffeinated coffee and tea contain some caffeine.)

 

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Monitor Your Medications
Medication

Some over -the-counter medications and prescription drugs can also worsen bladder problems:

 

* Do not stop taking prescription drugs without talking to you healthcare provider first.

 

 

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Maintain Bowel Regularity
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Keeping healthy bowel habits may lessen bladder symptoms.

The following are some suggestions:

 

1. Increase fiber intake. Fiber-rich foods include:

* Beans * Bran cereal
* Pasta * Whole wheat bread
* Oatmeal * Fresh fruits and vegetables

 

2. Exercise, such as walking, can improve your health and help maintain regularity.

 

3. If you continue to have problems, please see your doctor.

 

 

 

 

 

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Keep a Healthy Weight
Scale

Being overweight can add pressure on your bladder, which may cause leakage of urine when you laugh or cough. If you are overweight, weight loss can reduce pressure on your bladder.

 

 

 

 

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Stop Smoking
Smoking

* Cigarette smoking is irritating to the bladder muscle.

 

* A smoker's cough can cause leakage during repeated coughing spasms.

 

 

 

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Drink Plenty of Nonirritating Fluids
Water

People with bladder symptoms often drink fewer liquids so they don't have to urinate as often. Drinking fewer fluids may not help your condition and may in fact worsen it.

 

 

 

 

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