Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Dealing with an overactive bladder is one of the challenges I’m facing as I age along with wrinkles and grey hair. Check out these simple tips.
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Dealing with an Overactive Bladder
These are definitely not issues that I’m enjoying but at 47, I guess a few issues are to be expected. I don’t plan on letting these issues get the best of me.
Thanks to the hair salon, I can disguise the grey hair with a few fun highlights and anti-aging creams and cosmetics can help with the wrinkles. Dealing with an overactive bladder and light bladder leakage (LBL) is possible too.
What’s the main cause of overactive bladder?
Involuntary muscle contractions which can be caused by caffeine, nerve damage, or alcohol.
Can drinking more water help an over active bladder?
The first thing you might think you need to do is to drink less water, but you’d be wrong. Yes, you will have less water and then less urine but the urine will be more concentrated which will irritate your bladder.
That will make you want to go more. What you should do is eliminate alcohol and caffeine. I know. Giving up that coffee will be hard but on days you won’t be near a bathroom much, it’s a good idea.
How do you calm an overactive bladder?
There are certain foods that can make you want to go more. Eliminate spicy foods, citrus, tomatoes and tomato products and chocolate. Remember, chocolate has caffeine just like soda, many types of tea and coffee.
Make sure that you have healthy bowel habits. Constipation can cause the urge to urinate. Make sure that your diet includes high fiber foods like high fiber cereal, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole wheat bread.
Exercise regularly. A daily workout plan can help keep you regular which will in turn help with an overactive bladder. It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, just get up off the couch and do it. I love long walks when the weather is nice. When it’s raining, cold or snowing, I use my stationary bicycle instead.
Lose weight. People who are overweight are more like to suffer from an over active bladder. Take steps to lose weight now including eating healthier and making sure you exercise every day.
Quit smoking. Smoking irritates your bladder muscles and smoker’s cough my cause light bladder leakage.
Be prepared. You may not be able to totally eliminate symptoms of an overactive bladder but by following these tips you should be able to improve them. To be prepared, I bring a Poise Microliner with me just in case.
To try it for yourself, you can get a free sample of Poise. It’s the thinnest liner available in the light incontinence category from Poise to manage light bladder leakage (LBL) while letting you go about your day without feeling weighed down.
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
A hard issue to deal with. Glad Poise is making it easier!
Me too, Diane!
I didn;t know about the food! I wide people would stop finding good reasons to exercise 😉
LOL totally understand the feeling!
I never was aware that these food caused issues. I love it that you listed them and made me more aware of ways to prevent LBL.
Glad it helped, Shelley!
While I don’t suffer from an overactive bladder, I know many out there do. These are great tips.
Thank you, Toni.
Great tips! I could probably cut down on my caffeine!
Me too, Pam, but I don’t think I’m ready for that.
You give up coffee?? I don’t see it LOL
It is good advice though 😉
LOL yeah I can’t see that happening either 🙂
I always thought that since I had C-sections, I wouldn’t have a problem with this. But no, gravity did its thing. Glad that Poise are discreet and I can keep them in my purse.
I didn’t know that about C-sections, Dede. Too bad it is still an issue.
My problem is that I had 5 kids, ever since then my bladder hasn’t been the same.
5 kids would definitely do it!
Great tips… they sure will come in handy… I’ve bought these liners a few times and let me tell you, they are a life saver, truly my BFF to keep me comfy and dry
I agree, Melanie. I always have them on hand.
These are light enough so that you could wear one on a daily basis and you wouldn’t even feel it or be bothered by wearing it.
Very true, Liz. They are really comfortable!
Avoiding certain foods is a great tip. I never really thought about how that effects your bladder.
I hadn’t either, Sarah, but it’s a good idea.
Great tips! Being prepared is definitely key.
I totally agree, Marina!
These are great tips! I know gaining extra weight this pregnancy is going to be the one thing I need to focus on post baby for the sake of my bladder!
Definitely a good idea, Chelley!
I also heard that tea and coffee are no-goes… but maybe I am wrong? HA! Great tips
Definitely, caffeine is not good 🙁 I can’t give it up though!
I swear by these things. I have them stashed all over the place. I’m pregnant right now, and you just never know. It’s better to be prepared than not. I already have 4 kids so I know about leakage.
Totally agree, Janel. I always have them on hand. You just never know!
Citrus is a trigger for me. I love it but have to avoid it, otherwise my bladder acts up.
It’s good you realize that, Angela!
Great tips! I know many moms have issues while exercising. It’s nice to know there is light protection from leakage.
It’s definitely a huge help for me!
It’s amazing just how many positive effects exercise has on the body! Definitely another reason to keep exercising!
That is so true, Meagan!
These are great for exercising! I find I need them more after child #3!
I thought it was bad after 2!
Light Bladder Leakage is a real pain. Just sneezing, coughing, or laughing too hard can cause an accident. At least modern technology has brought us Poise Microliners. They are amazing.
I agree, Dawn. No more worrying!
Great tips. Overactive bladder is such an annoying problem. Always having to go, coping with leakage. Blech. I never knew that some foods could cause worsening of symptoms. Good to know!
Glad to share, Jennifer!
Great tips. I cringed at giving up coffee but I guess I need too. LBL is the absolute worst. I feel like you have to be protected all the time because you never know. Thank you for making a sensitive subject informative. Very much appreciated.
That’s so true, Laura. Coffee is my last hold out!
Thanks for the sample. 3 kids {twins plus one, doesn’t that just say it all?! lol
Glad to, Tammi! Hope they help!
Seems exercise is the solution to many of my problems. I need to start listening to my body.
That’s always a good idea, Nolie! I need to too.
Never thought much about how the caffeine affects an overactive bladder. That is quite a correlation.
It really is, Amber! Hard to give up though.
I don’t have leakage issues, but there is a whole group of moms in my zumba class who do & there is always a collective sigh when a song with jumps comes on!
I can imagine, Robin!