Since our bodies are mostly water, drinking water can keep you healthy, maintain body temperature, act as a shock absorber for your nervous system, and lubricate your organs. [3] X Research source If you exercise intensely, sweat profusely, are ill, pregnant or breast-feeding, your fluid intake may differ. For example, pregnant women are recommended to drink 10 8-oz glasses (2. 4 liters) of water a day and those who are breast-feeding 13 glasses (3 liters) a day.
Citrus and tomato are also foods you should limit since your body breaks these down into acid. Excess acid can irritate your bladder. Coffee and alcohol are both diuretic and bladder irritants. If you can’t live without coffee, try to limit yourself to one cup. Women should have no more than one serving of alcohol daily and men should have no more than two servings.
You may find that you can eat small amounts of spicy foods. If that’s the case, know your limit and avoid eating a larger amount that would trigger problems.
You can also take senna or psyllium which are fiber supplements that act as gentle laxatives. [7] X Research source A natural treatment for constipation is to include prunes in your diet.
Excess of uric acid in the system can lead to gout, kidney stones and other gastrointestinal disturbances, like gas. You might also notice that you need to urinate more often and with more urgency.
Diuretics (water pills) Antihypertensives (blood pressure pills) Calcium channel blockers Antidepressants Sedatives Tranquilizers Muscle relaxants Sleeping pills Cough and cold preparations
Talk with your doctor about safely using weight. Your doctor can recommend strategies for reducing calorie intake and exercises for you to do.
Talk with your doctor about using a cessation program. While some people can quit smoking easily, you might need to use therapy or a nicotine-reduction aid to help you quit.
Women should: lie down, squeeze and hold the muscles for a count of five. Relax for another count of five. Repeat this 10 times for a complete cycle. Men should: lie down with knees bent and spread apart. Squeeze and hold the muscles for a count of five. Relax for another count of five and repeat this 10 times for a complete cycle. With time, aim for 10 seconds of tightening and 10 seconds of relaxing between contractions. You also do not have to lie down to perform Kegel exercises once you get the hang of it. You can do them pretty much anytime, anywhere — in the car while sitting in traffic, while sitting at your desk at work, etc. Do not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. By doing Kegel you can increase the time between going to the bathroom and have fewer incontinence accidents. Bladder training is best for patients with overactive bladder and involves voiding according to a schedule.
Practice double voiding when urinating. Once you’ve finished urinating, lean forward slightly and try to urinate again. Moving forward can help the bladder empty completely.
You might need to schedule bathroom breaks if you find yourself too busy or to simply get in the habit of urinating frequently.
You can also drink a glass of pure tart cranberry juice or blueberry juice every day to further reduce your risk for urinary tract infections.
