What Is Incontinence? How To Manage Involuntary Urinary Leakage
Urinary incontinence can leave men feeling isolated, lonely and frustrated, including causing them to miss out on exciting activities and time spent with loved ones. The good news is that there are many different ways to manage the effects of urinary leakage, so you can focus on the things that really matter.
And MDP (Male Drip Protection) is here to help. We’re a company offering a break-through product designed by men, for men, so they can feel comfortable and confident all day long without having to worry about the effects of leakage or urinary incontinence.
Here’s a closer look at what causes this condition, and some suggestions for how to best manage the effects with the support of your healthcare team, including your family.
What Is Incontinence?
There are generally six different types of incontinence, each with some unique symptoms, causes, and treatment options. All types of urinary incontinence fall under a larger umbrella, characterized by loss of bladder control and changes in bladder function.
In some cases, this may lead to an overactive bladder that sends signals that the bladder is full, even when the bladder is empty. In other cases, the signal has been lost, and there is no urge or warning to let the individual know they need to urinate.
How Can I Manage Urinary Leakage?
Regardless of the type of incontinence you’re experiencing, there are management and treatment options to fit your specific needs. With a few simple lifestyle changes and best practices, you’ll be able to get the relief you deserve and get back to living life like you used to.
Here are just a few steps you can take at home and with the support of your healthcare professional for that little extra peace of mind.
Use Incontinence Products
Here at MDP, we’ve created an incontinence product designed specifically to give men back their sense of independence and autonomy, because urinary incontinence doesn’t get to take that away. Our products are designed for light leaks and can hold up to two ounces of liquid, which is about the amount of urine that would fill a large shot glass.
Thanks to the revolutionary configuration of the patented two-strap system that can be adjusted as needed, MDP keeps you comfortable and confident no matter what the day or night might hold. And if your urinarye incontinence lendsresults in itself to greater leakage, there are other products in the market designed for heavier leakage to help you follow your day-to-day schedule without missing a beat.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Men may experience urinary incontinence for many different reasons, but certain lifestyles and behaviors can increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence. These can range from existing medical conditions, which you’ll want to properly handle to mitigate their impact on your incontinence, as well as the foods you eat, and your weight.
Your doctor may recommend losing weight as a way of reducing the effects of urinary incontinence.
Follow Bladder Training
Bladder training is a practice by which you urinate at specific times. This is done to help increase the strength and capability of the bladder muscles, which means they can hold onto urine for longer.
Depending on your needs, you’ll want to consider the extent of your urinary incontinence before setting a schedule, like every 30, 60, or 90 minutes. When you visit the bathroom during this period, it’s important to ensure that you’re completely emptying your bladder.
You’ll want to increase the time between bathroom trips as you train your bladder. Record your progress in a bladder diary to share with your healthcare professional, or to help you adjust your frequency of bathroom trips at home.
Practice Kegel Exercises
With approval from your healthcare team, you can begin pelvic floor exercises, including Kegels, to help improve your control of urine leakage. Kegels are one of the most common recommendations for increasing the strength of the bladder muscles and reducing leakage and irritation from incontinence. These can make a big difference regarding the function of your bladder and associated symptoms.
Essentially, you practice Kegel exercises by clenching the muscles used to stop urination mid-stream. During this process, you want to ensure you’re not clenching any of the surrounding muscles and systems.
Doctors recommend practicing Kegels three times daily, with about 10 reps each time. You’ll likely start noticing a reduction in leakage sooner-than-later with a regular routine of Kegel exercises.
Manage Constipation
While it may seem counter-intuitive to stay hydrated when managing the effects of an overactive bladder, you want to be sure you’re drinking enough water. If you don’t get enough water or fiber from fruits and vegetables throughout the day, you can become constipated.
Constipation can lead to pressure on essential body parts, and that excess pressure can cause urine leakage and accidents. You’ll want to find a healthy balance between drinking enough water and not drinking enough, and you’ll want to manage the effects of constipation as soon as you notice them.
Skip the Triggers
It’s important to note that no recorded food can entirely reduce or reverse urinary incontinence. That said, the food and drinks we consume can impact our urinary system.
Specifically, you’ll want to look at how your body responds to caffeine and alcohol. Both beverages tell the body that you must go to the bathroom, even when the bladder isn’t full.
Different individuals will have different incontinence triggers when it comes to food and drink. If you’re worried about the effects of urine leakage, it’s best to look at the common ingredients in your favorite foods to ensure they’re not contributing to your urinary incontinence.
Set Up Treatment
Some types of incontinence require a lot more formal intervention than others. In speaking with your doctor, you may also find that certain medications are increasing your risk of developing urinary incontinence or the intensity of the symptoms.
Sometimes the simplest changes can make the biggest difference, and in those cases, you can reduce the symptoms of urinary leakage without the need for more aggressive treatment or management.
If you’re looking to reduce urinary leakage and less aggressive methods haven’t succeeded, you can speak to your doctor about treatment plans. There may be a long-term solution, like a specific medication or an enlarged prostate reduction surgery, that can mitigate some of the more intense effects of urinary leakage, so you can get relief every day.
Conclusion
Urinary leakage caused by urinary incontinence may feel difficult, if not impossible, to manage. It can reduce your daily activity schedule and leave you feeling isolated and without recourse. But the good news is that you have choices and several different options for managing the effects of urinary incontinence, starting with generally reducing leakage.
Sometimes, the simplest changes are the best. That’s why it’s recommended to start behavioral therapies like bladder training, Kegel exercises, and to start changing your diet combined with regular exercising. You also want to ensure that you’re properly handling constipation and matching with the right incontinence pads and products for your specific needs.
And you can find just such options right here at MDP (Male Drip Protection). We make it easy to manage the effects of leakage and dribbling throughout the day or night, so you can focus on making great memories with the ones you love.
Learn about urinary incontinence triggers, management, and solutions with the support of our team today at mdp4men.com.
Sources:
Bladder training for urinary incontinence in adults | National Library of Medicine
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) | Mayo Clinic