Overactive bladder (incontinence) is a common health complaint. It’s also a health issue many people are embarrassed of, so they don’t openly discuss it. If frequent trips to the bathroom and accidents are interfering with your quality of life, it’s time to do something about it.
Acupuncture for Overactive Bladder Relief
Recent studies have shown a significant improvement in bladder capacity, urgency, frequency, and quality-of-life scores as compared with women who received placebo acupuncture treatments.
Supplements
Herbal supplements like Pumpkinseed Oil, may provide some relief. Other supplements combine several herbs to have a synergistic effect on relief for the overactive bladder.
Making changes to your daily routine can complement treatment. Consider the following home remedies to help decrease urinary troubles and get back to enjoying your daily life.
Regulating Fluids
It is recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. For those suffering from urinary incontinence or wake frequently at night to urinate; it is a good idea to drink your 8 glasses of water in the morning and afternoon. This will give your body time to eliminate most of the water you drink before bedtime.
Cut Out Alcohol and Caffeine
Although water is best for your bladder, remember that fluids come from any beverage you drink and from foods such as soup. Alcohol and caffeine consumption worsens overactive bladder. Both are stimulants and diuretics, so you may experience increased urination along with powerful urges to go.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Sweeteners can aggravate both urinary urges and frequency.
Exercise pelvic muscles
Performing Kegels three to four times a day for best results. For women: http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/kegel-exercises-topic-overview and for men: http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/kegel-exercises-treating-male-urinary-incontinence.
Extra fat around your abdomen and hips places extra pressure on your pelvic muscles, increasing the need to urinate.
To guide you through a holistic approach to overactive bladder syndrome, consult the specialists at Active Health who can combine their resources in acupuncture and nutrition to formulate a plan to fit your lifestyle.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15994629
http://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/home-remedies#Overview1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/in-depth/bladder-control-problem/art-20046597?p=1