It is important to recognize thesigns of depressionif you have OAB.

Physical

Your general health influences OAB in the same way it does any chronic medical condition.

In the end, OAB cannot be treated in isolation.

Side view of senior woman with in-ear headphones sitting in lotus position at park

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Others are diuretic and actively promote urination.

Changes in diet can help.

These include:

Certain preservatives, includingmonosodium glutamate (MSG), can also increase bladder sensitivity.

By contrast, a BMI of less than 30 does not appear to increase such risk.

BMIis a dated, flawed measure.

This indirectly stimulates bladder contractions due to the release ofcytokinesand other inflammatory compounds.

If you have OAB, achieving and maintaining a normal weight can help mitigate some of the risks.

Social interaction is key to managing any chronic condition, and OAB is no exception.

The more they understand, the more likely they will be to make accommodations when organizing outings or meetings.

It can also reduce stress and embarrassment if you do have to rush to the bathroom.

Urinating before sex and avoiding an alcohol icebreaker also helps.

Practical

One of the best ways to cope with OAB is to normalize it.

Others will experience ongoing symptoms despite treatment, albeit less severely in all but a few cases.

Finding the right treatment can take time and patience.

If you find it difficult to cope, do not go it alone.

Reach out to OAB support groups, many of which can be found on Facebook.

A systematic review and meta-analysis.Int Neurourol J.

2016;2016(9):CD012337.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical activity for a healthy weight.