LIVING with an overactive bladder (OAB) can be embarrassing and frustrating. It can cause a sudden, urgent and frequent need to urinate or even cause incontinence. People often suffer in silence. In fact, there are ways to manage the condition. It is true that getting older increases your risk of developing an overactive bladder or being incontinent, but it is not a normal part of aging. If you are experiencing OAB, just accepting it is the last thing you should do. There are many treatment options available that may help you, ranging from medications and treatment to lifestyle changes. Don’t just accept it. Having an overactive bladder is nothing to be ashamed of. Seek treatment from your doctor. The more detailed you can be about your issues, the better. Does your bladder leak when you do certain activities? Do you find that you need to urinate more often than others? Do certain foods seem to make the urgency or discomfort worse? Discuss all these issues with your physician. Some people with overactive bladder cut down on the amount of fluids they drink in an effort to produce less urine. But when you don’t drink enough fluid, the urine you do produce may be quite concentrated and irritate your bladder and urethra even more. Ask your doctor how much fluid you should consume in a day. Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter. But to be effective, they must be done properly and regularly. Speak to your doctor or a physical therapist, who can help you learn the right technique and tell you how often you should do them. The results may not show for several weeks, and it may be tempting to give up on them — but make it a daily habit and you’ll feel the results. Some foods and liquids can irritate your bladder and make the symptoms of OAB worse. Some of the common culprits are caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and citrus. By keeping a food diary, you may be able to detect if some of your diet is contributing to the problem. There are medications and other treatments that help many people living with overactive bladder. Some people are reluctant to take drugs for an issue they don’t see as being a medical problem. But having an overactive bladder is a medical condition and it can have a significant effect on your quality of life. So speak with your healthcare provider to see if there are treatment options available.(SD-Agencies) | 