How can you prevent/improve bladder problems?
There are some simple ways that you can prevent or improve your bladder problems. Below are some tips to improve your bladder health.
- Drinking water is the best fluid for your bladder.
- The average adult needs to drink 1.5 to 2 litres (3 to 4 pints) of fluid each day to maintain good health. The amount needs to be increased in hot weather, during physical activity and when travelling. Do not restrict your intake - it will not reduce your symptoms. It could make matters worse.
- Certain substances can irritate and stimulate the bladder. These may cause more urine to be produced, meaning more frequent and possibly more urgent trips to the toilet. These substances include:
- Caffeine - found in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, some fizzy drinks and over the counter medicines. If you need to reduce your intake, you may have to do this slowly to avoid headaches.
- Alcohol - drink alcohol in moderation, no more than 14 units for women and 21 units for men per week is recommended.
- Nicotine
- Avoid getting constipated, ensure a good dietary intake, adequate fluids and exercise will help.
- Try to avoid emptying your bladder too often as this can reduce the amount it can hold. If you feel you need to go more often than once every 2 hours or when you feel the urge to empty your bladder soon after having already done so, try delaying tactics. For example, try standing still, contracting your pelvic floor muscles, sitting on something firm, and concentrating on something else. Your nurse can advise you on this.
- Each time you go to the toilet it is important to completely empty the bladder without straining. Urine left inside the bladder may lead to an infection.
- Do not routinely stop and start your flow while passing urine.
- Hygiene - after using the toilet, women should always wipe themselves from front to back. This helps to stop germs spreading from the anus to the urethra, which may cause an infection.
- Washing yourself too vigorously and too often, use of antiseptics, perfumed products, and vaginal deodorants can damage your body's own natural defences and may cause skin irritation.
- Choose cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing, as moist conditions and rubbing can encourage the spread of germs and infections.
- Before you lift anything, remember to tighten your pelvic floor muscles and hold them tight until you have lowered the load.
- Avoid getting overweight. Attempt to get down to your correct weight as this will reduce the amount of strain on the pelvic floor muscles.
- Make sure you follow any instructions after surgery i.e. Undertaking pelvic floor exercises.
- Practice pelvic floor exercises everyday to improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.