March 14, 2018
How to Cure Nighttime Urinary Incontinence
There is no denying that dealing with incontinence can be frustrating, embarrassing and difficult. However, when incontinence begins cutting into your sleep and making you feel tired all day it can seem overwhelming. Many people find that they are able to manage their incontinence during the day but nighttime adds some additional challenges. However, the good news is that there are tips that can help you with this.
Here is what you need to know about how to cure nighttime urinary incontinence-
- See your doctor-Whether from embarrassment or a belief that one simply has to put up with incontinence many people skip this important step. As soon as you begin experiencing incontinence symptoms you should see your health care professional. It is important to understand that incontinence is never normal and it is not a normal part of growing older. Today, most doctors understand that incontinence is a medical symptom that is usually being brought on by something else. This makes it even more crucial to seek out a medical evaluation so the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. The bottom line is that you will never be able to fully deal with your nighttime incontinence until you know what is causing it.
- Make some dietary changes-Once you know the underlying cause and prescribed treatment for your incontinence you can begin to make some lifestyle changes that will lessen the amount of nighttime incontinence that you are experiencing. If you are waking up at night you should avoid drinking both tea and coffee during the evening hours. Not only do these contain caffeine (which aggravates incontinence and causes restless sleep), but they are also both diuretics which you make your incontinence symptoms worse. Drinking alcohol in the evening can also have this effect, as well. In addition, you may be surprised to learn that it is not only what you drink but what you eat that can affect your incontinence symptoms. Foods that are high in sugar, salt, or are highly processed should be avoided before bedtime since they can also make incontinence worse, as well.
- Make nighttime restful-It can help to reduce incontinence symptoms by having a bedtime routine. You want to make sure that you go to the bathroom before heading to bed. Make sure that you have completely emptied your bladder by taking some time while you are in the bathroom. Also many people find that when it is colder in their bedroom it can stimulate the urge to go to the bathroom. Keep the temperature where you will be comfortable but not to cold.
One of the biggest concerns when dealing with incontinence is the disposal of incontinence products and the ability to remain clean and fresh.