Effective Strategies for Managing Urinary Incontinence: Tips and Advice

Effective Strategies for Managing Urinary Incontinence: Expert Tips and Advice

How do I manage incontinence? 

Living with incontinence can be challenging, but with the right strategies, lifestyle changes and products, it is possible to regain control and improve your quality of life. Urology Health Store Canada understands the impact that incontinence can have on your daily activities and self-esteem. We will explore various coping strategies and recommend products that can help you manage incontinence effectively and reclaim your confidence.

Before delving into coping strategies, it's important to understand the different types of incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when pressure on the bladder exceeds the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to urine leakage during activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising. Urge incontinence, on the other hand, is characterized by a sudden and intense urge to urinate, resulting in leakage before reaching the bathroom. Mixed incontinence combines features of both stress and urge incontinence.

Managing incontinence can be approached through various effective methods. In this article, we will highlight a selection of popular strategies to help mitigate the impact of incontinence on your daily life. By incorporating these techniques, you can take proactive steps towards regaining control and improving your overall well-being.

Pelvic Floor Exercises 

One of the most effective ways to manage incontinence is through pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, helping to prevent urine leakage. please view our guide to kegel exercises. Proper technique, a frequent schedule and duration are imperative for optimal results. We want to get in the habbit of preforming kegels multiple times a day, they should be embedded into your daily schedule and become second nature.  

If you are having trouble keeping up with these key contributing factors we highly suggest you look into purchasing and using a pelvic floor trainer such as the Kegel 8 Ultra 20 to help you move past any barriers and allow you to achieve your pelvic health goals.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of incontinence episodes. Dietary adjustments, such as avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing timed voiding techniques to regulate your bladder. All of which are easier said than done however, even the slightest improvements in each of these categories can lead to positive results with stress incontinence. 

Bladder Training

Bladder training involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to improve bladder capacity and control. Creating a personalized schedule and tracking progress to gradually extend the intervals between voiding, ultimately reduces the frequency of incontinence episodes If you typically have urge incontinence every 3-4 hours, it is best to have as schedule and maintain your liquid intake so you you void your bladder every 2 1/2 hours.   

Fluid Management:

Proper fluid management is essential for managing incontinence. Contrary to common belief, restricting fluids excessively can lead to concentrated urine, irritate the bladder, and worsen incontinence. The importance of maintaining adequate hydration while managing fluid intake to minimize bladder irritation can be very important to controlling your Incontinence.

Wearable Devices 

Wearable devices for incontinence have emerged as a promising solution for both men and women who experience urinary incontinence. These innovative devices are designed to assist individuals in managing and improving their bladder control, providing discreet and convenient options for those seeking to regain their independence and confidence.

For men, there are several types of wearable devices available. One common option is a male external urinary catheter, also known as a condom catheter. This device fits over the penis like a condom and connects to a drainage bag, collecting urine throughout the day. Another option is a much more comfortable and discrete, the penis clamp, which gently applies pressure to the penis to prevent urine leakage. These devices are typically reusable and can be worn discreetly under clothing. You can find a variety of incontinence clamps here at UHS.CA! 

For women, wearable devices for incontinence are designed to provide support and compression to the urethra and surrounding muscles. One popular choice is a pessary, a small flexible device inserted into the vagina to support the bladder and prevent urine leakage. Pessaries come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different individuals' needs. Another option is absorbent underwear or pads specifically designed to manage urinary incontinence. These garments are discreet, comfortable, and offer varying levels of absorbency. Many will suggest wearing a light tampon as well, especially for activities such as running, sports or working out.

Living with incontinence should not hinder your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. By implementing coping strategies such as pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications, bladder training, and utilizing high-quality products from urologyhealthstore.ca, you can regain control and enhance your quality of life. Remember, seeking guidance from a pelvic health therapist or healthcare professional is essential for personalized advice and optimal results.

At Urology Health Store Canada we are committed to supporting individuals with pelvic health concerns. Explore our range of products and resources to find the tools you need to manage incontinence effectively and restore your confidence and comfort.

VIEW OUR INCONTINENCE SOLUTIONS TODAY!