Living with bladder weakness
Even though you may sometimes feel as though it is, bladder weakness isn't the end of the world.
With the right help and the right products to help you manage bladder weakness, there is every chance that you can continue living a life that is just as active as ever!
Here’s what you can do yourself to control bladder weakness and minimise its effect on your lifestyle.
See Your Doctor
The first step of course is to see your health professional. He or she is best able to offer you specific advice related to your situation.
To help your GP make an accurate assessment it often helps to complete a bladder weakness diary for seven days before your visit.
Once there, you may also be asked to provide details about your personal and family medical history, give a list of any prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking, or a history of accidents and injuries. You may also be recommend for testing to make an accurate assessment of your condition.
After reviewing this information and completing other diagnostic tests, your doctor will recommend treatment.
There are many treatments available to women & men who experience urine leakage. These include pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, medications, surgery and collagen treatments. Discussing these treatments with your doctor will help you to determine what the best option is for your specific lifestyle requirements.
Watch Your Diet
Don’t be tempted to reduce your fluid intake to stop from visiting the toilet as often. Urine that’s more concentrated due to lack of fluid intake can irritate the bladder and actually make matters worse. So make sure you drink enough fluids - at least six to eight cups per day.
Do however avoid beverages that can cause excessive urine production such as caffeine and alcohol, as well as beverages that can irritate the bladder, such as grapefruit juice and tomato-based products.
Constipation can also contribute to bladder control problems. So make sure you eat foods that are high in fibre to help you stay regular. Choose whole-wheat pasta instead of white, add beans to salads, soups and stews and next time you eat out, why not ask for fresh fruit instead of dessert or have fruit or fresh vegetables for between-meal snacks.
Watch Your Weight
You’ll probably hate us for bringing this up, but when it comes to bladder weakness even a few kilos can make a difference. Reducing your weight by just five to ten per cent can help improve bladder control by reducing intra-abdominal pressure. So throw those chocolate biscuits in the bin, it’s time to get healthy!
Keep Active
As with any aspect of your health, doctors are increasingly recognising the importance of a positive attitude in managing bladder weakness. So remain active in doing the things you love and make sure you stay involved with family and friends so you'll feel good about yourself.
DEPEND® has a range of absorbent products that are ideal for an active lifestyle and can be worn every day to protect your underwear from occasional leaks when you exercise – so now there’s no excuse not to life your life to the full!
Choose Absorbent Products Carefully
Make sure you use the products that are best suited to your individual needs and preferences. Your health care professional or pharmacist can help you choose.
And be honest with yourself about the level of absorbency you need. More than two million people in the UK use the wrong products to cope with bladder weakness*, with many resorting instead to feminine care products which are simply not up to the job.
DEPEND® liners and pads are as slim and discreet as feminine care products, yet are uniquely designed to cope with urine loss, which means you can carry on doing the things that you love.
If you would appreciate a more discreet way of buying your products however, you may prefer to buy them online.
*Perspectives in the Global Incontinence Market, 2001
Please note that the contents of this website are for information purposes only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For medical care and advice you should consult your doctor on a regular basis.