Your Guide for Managing Your Incontinence (Male)

Having to deal with incontinence is difficult for many reasons. If you are experiencing this problem, you should first visit your doctor to get the support you need. There are different ways in which men can manage urinary incontinence, especially the associated symptoms. Below is a guide that you'll find helpful.

Training Your Bladder

In some cases, it's possible to train your bladder as a way to control urinary incontinence. For instance, you can schedule restroom breaks throughout the day so that they occur at the same time, seven days a week. This means you'll need to go at the scheduled time, even when you don't feel the urge to urinate. In the beginning, it's necessary to schedule these breaks in short intervals, such as every 90 minutes. As time passes and you observe progress, you can stretch that intervals to every 3 hours. It takes time for you to reap the benefits of bladder training, so you'll need to be patient. It could take several months before your body adapts to your preferred schedule.

Strengthening Your Muscles

Exercising the pelvic floor muscles is something that's often associated with women. However, this is a trick that men can do as well. The purpose in doing so is to make the muscles surrounding your bladder stronger. It's important to get training on how this should work because you don't want to exercise the wrong muscles. The correct muscles are often described as those used to prevent flatulence (gas). You can work with your doctor on getting resources for Kegel exercises.

Monitoring Your Diet

Sometimes there are triggering foods and beverages that should be avoided because they can exacerbate urinary incontinence. Some of the most common items include caffeine, artificial sweeteners, acidic fruits and spicy foods, to name a few. It's better to increase the amount of water you drink instead of consuming these items. While drinking more water may sound counterintuitive, it's necessary because you need to stay hydrated. Not having enough water in your system can irritate your bladder because the urine becomes concentrated.

Preventing Constipation

Constipation is something that usually occurs when you don't have enough fiber in your diet. When a person is constipated, they typically strain to eliminate waste, which can cause further problems with urinary incontinence. By switching to a high-fiber diet, you can avoid straining, which impacts the nerves associated with urination.

These are just a few ways in which men can manage incontinence. As you work with your doctor and follow their recommendations, you should make slow progress. Even when you make progress, you should stay prepared for accidents to avoid the stress and anxiety that can be associated with incontinence.

Tom James,