Dietary Changes
One of the primary ways to manage OAB is to adjust your diet.
This includes avoiding foods and beverages that irritate the bladder and increasingdietary fiberto alleviate chronic constipation.
The healthier you are, the better you will be at controlling OAB.
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This not only includes eating a healthier diet but also changing habits that contribute tobladder spasmsand leakage.
leading to depression, isolation, and a loss of self-efficacy (the ability to manage your life).
This, in turn, can lead to a worsening of OAB symptoms.
According to research published in the journalPeerJ,mental resilience is key to coping and living well with OAB.
Pelvic Physical Therapy
OAB is characterized by the loss of bladder control, also known asurinary incontinence.
Kegel exercises are performed several times daily on an ongoing basis (see Pelvic Floor Exercises below).
With consistent practice, you may begin to see improvements within several months.
This can increase the anxiety and stress that aggravates OAB symptoms.
Bladder retraining is a behavioral therapy used to break this cycle.
It teaches you how to gradually hold your urine for longer and longer periods.
The only tools you need are a journal and a watch.
Bladder retraining involves the following steps:
With consistency, you should start experiencing significant improvements within six weeks.
These include:
Two primary classes of drugs are used to treat OAB, calledanticholinergicand beta-3 adrenergic agonists.
Anticholinergics approved by the FDA include.
Beta-3 adrenergic agoniststarget cells in the bladder known as beta-3 receptors.
When activated, these receptors relax the smooth muscles of the bladder.
The dose should be taken at the same time every day with a full glass of water.
Tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed, or split.
Beta-3 adrenergic agonists do not have typical side effects of anticholinergics, including dry mouth and constipation.
Also, their safety may be better for older people.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Kegel exercises can help prevent or control urinary incontinence.
They are performed on an ongoing basis to help maintain strong pelvic floor muscles.
In such cases, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles may make symptoms worse.
you’re able to also ask for a referral to aphysical therapistspecializing in OAB and urologic dysfunction.
Specialist treatments may help when conservative treatments fall short.
Poor coping skills and inadequate support systems often cause people to give up before treatment goals are met.
By keeping regularly engaged, you are far more likely to reap the full benefits of treatment.
It is reserved for when all other options fail and your ability to function is severely compromised.
Even so, it can be highly effective in relieving OAB symptoms.
Your surgeon will then want to see if the bladder is healing properly.
Heavy lifting and physical exertion are avoided until then.
Improved mental health with regular social support and stress management techniques can also help.
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