Urinary incontinence is a condition in which there is involuntary leakage of urine. Control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. In women, it occurs due to weakened bladder muscles as a part of aging, or due o obesity or vaginal child birth. In men, it can occur due to weak or damaged bladder muscles, overactive bladder muscles, certain prostate conditions, and nerve damage. The person feels a strong urge to rush to the toilet immediately for fear that there might be urine leakage.
Here are some natural ways to help you fight urinary incontinence:
1 . Add Amla To Your Diet
Try Ayurveda by mixing one amla or Indian gooseberry with a pinch of turmeric and a spoonful of honey. Mash the amla into a paste and have this every morning. This is supposed to strengthen the muscles of the prostate.
2 . Have Fiber Rich Foods
It has been seen that in certain cases, constipation can also be a factor causing incontinence. If you also suffer from constipation along with incontinence then it might be good idea to get as much fiber as possible by cutting down on refined carbohydrates like flour and white rice and including high fiber food like oats, brown rice and oranges. This will lead to healthy bowel movement.
3 . Drink Enough Water
This might sound counter-intuitive since drinking water will lead to more urge to urinate, but drinking less water can cause constipation. As explained in the point above, constipation might cause incontinence in certain cases. Also, drinking less water leads to irritation of nerves which increases the urge to urinate.
4 . Try Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises increases the strength of the pelvic muscles and helps to reduce the symptoms of incontinence. These exercises cab be done anywhere sitting, standing or lying down. You have to contract and relax your pelvic muscles with holding each contraction or relaxation for 3 seconds initially and increasing this time gradually. While contracting the pelvic muscles, the feeling one should get is that of trying to stop from passing gas.
5 . Lose Weight
Obesity is a leading cause of incontinence. Ensure that you are not overweight by measuring your BMI (body mass index). Use a combination of diet and exercise for losing excess weight. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and avoid sugary drinks, processed food and fried food. Get some form of exercise daily.
A combination of the natural remedies may provide relief to patients suffering from incontinence. It is important to be sensitive to our loved ones suffering from the condition and help them fight the problem head on rather than hide it out of shame and embarrassment.