At Events With Incontinence
At Events With Incontinence
A lecture hall, the theater, a ballgame: if the setting is crowded, incontinence is a hassle. Many people avoid those events. Others get crafty in devising their exit plans.
"People can be very strategic," says Roger Dmochowski, MD, a urologist and director of the Vanderbilt Continence Center in Nashville, Tenn. "It's amazing how good some people are at estimating their bladder problem. They have a fairly good idea of the time frame they're working with. They try to make it through the challenging period."
Herbal Remedies for Overactive Bladder
If you’re curious about herbal remedies for overactive bladder, you’re hardly alone. The CDC says about 75% of people with the condition have turned to a complementary treatment at some point.Why do people go natural? Because their medical treatments don’t work, or they may have unpleasant side effects, says Bilal Chughtai, MD, an assistant professor of urology at Weill Cornell Medical College.But are herbal treatments worth it? It’s hard to know for sure. “There’s very little scientific research...
Read the Herbal Remedies for Overactive Bladder article > >
What doctors call "bladder training" is a good idea in taming urge incontinence, says May Wakamatsu, MD, chief of Vincent Urogynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "It means taking a toilet trip every three to four hours on a regular basis. One caution -- don't start emptying your bladder every hour. That just encourages overactive bladder and urgency."
Carefully select your fluids. "Many people dehydrate themselves," Dmochowski tells WebMD. That’s never a good idea. So take a careful look at which fluids cause problems more often. "Some have more problems with caffeinated products or alcohol, so they avoid them or cut back -- and that certainly can help." This includes coffee and carbonated drinks like sodas.
Avoid problem foods. At dinner before the performance -- or at the ball field -- keep meals on the mild side. Spicy and high-acid foods (like citrus fruits and juices) can make urge incontinence worse. Go easy on them to avoid accidents.
Map the bathrooms. In any new setting, make this your top priority. When you buy event tickets, ask for aisle seats near a bathroom. Before taking your seat, make a visit.
Try a tampon. Whether it's your period or not, a tampon in the vagina puts pressure on the urethra -- which helps prevent leaks from stress incontinence, says Vani Dandolu, MD, MPH, a urogynecologist with Temple University School of Women in Philadelphia.
Wear a pessary. This is a round object that is worn in the vagina, and prevents leakage. It is a nonsurgical approach to treating incontinence related to uterine prolapse and stress incontinence. A doctor can fit you for a pessary.
"People can be very strategic," says Roger Dmochowski, MD, a urologist and director of the Vanderbilt Continence Center in Nashville, Tenn. "It's amazing how good some people are at estimating their bladder problem. They have a fairly good idea of the time frame they're working with. They try to make it through the challenging period."
Recommended Related to Urinary Incontinence/OAB
Herbal Remedies for Overactive Bladder
If you’re curious about herbal remedies for overactive bladder, you’re hardly alone. The CDC says about 75% of people with the condition have turned to a complementary treatment at some point.Why do people go natural? Because their medical treatments don’t work, or they may have unpleasant side effects, says Bilal Chughtai, MD, an assistant professor of urology at Weill Cornell Medical College.But are herbal treatments worth it? It’s hard to know for sure. “There’s very little scientific research...
Read the Herbal Remedies for Overactive Bladder article > >
What doctors call "bladder training" is a good idea in taming urge incontinence, says May Wakamatsu, MD, chief of Vincent Urogynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "It means taking a toilet trip every three to four hours on a regular basis. One caution -- don't start emptying your bladder every hour. That just encourages overactive bladder and urgency."
Your Strategy for Handling Incontinence
Carefully select your fluids. "Many people dehydrate themselves," Dmochowski tells WebMD. That’s never a good idea. So take a careful look at which fluids cause problems more often. "Some have more problems with caffeinated products or alcohol, so they avoid them or cut back -- and that certainly can help." This includes coffee and carbonated drinks like sodas.
Avoid problem foods. At dinner before the performance -- or at the ball field -- keep meals on the mild side. Spicy and high-acid foods (like citrus fruits and juices) can make urge incontinence worse. Go easy on them to avoid accidents.
Map the bathrooms. In any new setting, make this your top priority. When you buy event tickets, ask for aisle seats near a bathroom. Before taking your seat, make a visit.
Try a tampon. Whether it's your period or not, a tampon in the vagina puts pressure on the urethra -- which helps prevent leaks from stress incontinence, says Vani Dandolu, MD, MPH, a urogynecologist with Temple University School of Women in Philadelphia.
Wear a pessary. This is a round object that is worn in the vagina, and prevents leakage. It is a nonsurgical approach to treating incontinence related to uterine prolapse and stress incontinence. A doctor can fit you for a pessary.
