The holiday season is upon us - time for tasty treats, family festivities, and delicious drinks. The last thing you want to worry about during the holiday season is incontinence. If you suffer from incontinence, don't let your anxiety over having an accident stop you from enjoying the holidays. Incontinence can be embarrassing but it can be treated and managed. Here are some tips on how to manage incontinence so that you can celebrate the season without adding to your "holiday stress."
Eat well. Some foods can cause urinary incontinence. Caffeine found in chocolate, for example, can cause your bladder to fill more quickly and may cause the urge to urinate. For some people, acidic foods can irritate the bladder. It's a good idea to stay away from these types of foods to avoid triggering an accidental leakage. Eating fibre can help people whose incontinence is caused by constipation. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important in controlling bladder problems. It may be a good idea to avoid putting on the extra holiday pounds and say "no" to that second piece of chocolate cake.
Drink well. Coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks can irritate your bladder and make bladder control worse. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it can cause your bladder to fill quickly and trigger the sudden urge to go. If you're going to be at a party, try to limit your intake of these drinks. Instead, keep yourself hydrated by drinking water or other non-irritating fluids. Be sure to drink about 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
Know your surroundings. If you are going to be a guest at a party, find out where the nearest washroom is located when you first arrive. This way, you will not have to run around looking if you feel the urge to go.
Follow your treatment plan. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. This may include absorbent products, medications, exercises, medical devices, lifestyle changes, or surgery. If you use absorbent products or medications, be sure you bring enough to the holiday party or gathering so that you don't run out. If you are worried about a leakage while you're laughing away with your friends, do Kegel exercises to strengthen your bladder muscles. To learn more about treatment options, see the Incontinence channel.
The holiday season is about enjoying time with family and friends. By following a few tips on managing your incontinence, you can have fun during the holidays.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Incontinence-and-the-Holidays
