Urinary incontinence or urge incontinence, commonly referred to as overactive bladder, is a condition characterized by the urgent need to urinate. In severe cases, a patient may not be able to suppress the urge, causing an involuntary release of urine, primarily known as incontinence. This condition can be highly embarrassing and interfere with daily activities. However, there are treatments available, many of which can be managed easily by the patient at home.
Step 1
Adjust the approach to voiding the bladder. Patients who suffer from an overactive bladder may benefit from bladder training in various forms. The first form entails delaying the voiding of the bladder to condition the body to go for longer durations in between urination.
Patients typically start slowly by delaying urination for 10 minutes. Over time, patients will continue to increase the duration time, with a goal of urinating every three to five hours, indicates the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Incorporate bladder retraining into an overactive bladder treatment plan. Bladder retraining includes instituting a urination schedule. With this schedule, patients urinate at specific times throughout the day each day instead of urinating when the urge arises. With this method, patients seek to urinate every two to three hours. This schedule should begin with a time in the morning shortly after the patient awakens. The schedule should end either before bed or sometime during the night.
Step 3
Talk to a doctor about double voiding. Double voiding involves urinating, waiting a few moments and attempting to urinate again. This helps to ensure that the bladder is completely empty and reduces the frequent urge to urinate because the bladder is nearly 100% empty. It is important for patients not to interrupt the flow of urine and allow all urine to flow from the bladder.
Step 4
Regulate fluid consumption to balance out the processing of fluids and the need to urinate. Fluid consumption should be discussed with a physician in order to determine the proper amount of fluids that can be consumed without negative consequences. The timing of consumption may also be assessed and, similar to bladder retraining, a physician may develop a schedule for how much fluid should be consumed by the patient and when. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, patients may be advised to refrain from consuming caffeine or alcohol to prevent worsening symptoms.
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