Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center
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Treatments for Incontinence & Overactive Bladder (OAB)
A leaky bladder doesn’t have to rule your life
Manage your condition
Managing incontinence means adopting healthy bladder habits. Working your pelvic muscles with proper Kegel exercises on a daily basis can do wonders for your bladder control, balance, core strength and overall feeling of wellness. In some cases of urge incontinence or overactive bladder, drugs are prescribed to help relax spasms of the bladder. The newest prescription drugs are fast-release, once-a-day products and sometimes necessary. Talk to your physician to see if you are a candidate of drug therapy for your type of incontinence. Non-impact, pelvic floor fitness classes and/or pelvic floor rehabilitation, dietary modification and educational counseling will help you accelerate your path to a stronger pelvic core and healthier bladder.
Maintain healthy bladder behaviors
It’s a good idea to increase your fluid intake to 4-6 glasses of water a day. My patients often tell me it’s difficult to drink that much or they don’t like to. I suggest that they avoid drinking large volumes; instead sip 2-3 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid reducing fluids, which may result in an increase in the concentration of the urine and could further irritate the bladder and increase symptoms of urgency and frequency.
Limit or avoid caffeine/alcohol (coffee, tea, carbonated drinks), which are acidic and can irritate the bladder. There are products that can help reduce the acidity in the foods you have difficulty giving up. Talk to your doctor or your continence care clinician about your options.
Try to avoid getting up more than twice a night to void. A good bladder training program will help you get comfortable with this.
Do not “push” when urinating. Bearing down on your already weak pelvic floor muscles may cause additional weakness.
Don’t smoke. The chronic cough associated with smoking is a risk factor for incontinence. Research has indicated that the chemicals in smoke may affect the bladder and muscles around it.
Eat more fiber to avoid constipation, which strains and weakens the pelvic floor.
Learn how to do Kegels and be diligent about your daily practice, at least 5 times/day to start. You will see a positive difference after 2-4 weeks if you are performing them correctly.
You may feel ashamed about bladder control problems. Remember that it’s a medical problem and it’s not your fault. Millions of people have the same problem. Don’t believe people who tell you that urine leakage is normal. It isn’t! Most of the time it can be improved. Nearly everyone with a bladder control problem can be helped. Start with healthy bladder habits. Talk to your family doctor or nurse to learn about other treatment options.
I am a Continence Nurse Specialist for Woodbury Health Products and WoodburyHealthCenter.com. My mission is to provide support to the millions of Americans who suffer with incontinence, often in silence and shame.
As a clinician, I hope to facilitate a healthier way of thinking about incontinence and to remove the taboo associated with it in America.
I received my nursing degree from the University of Portland, Oregon in 1994. I enjoy working with both patients and caregivers to provide them with expert consultation and dignified product solutions. With years of clinical experience, I realize the impact and importance of the support I can provide to people living with incontinence.
Robin Howe, RN BSN
Continence Nurse Specialist
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