Growing older comes with problems that most people don’t realize. Little issues have the propensity to snowball into much bigger problems.

One such issue that many people deal with as they age is bladder problems. What seems like an innocent urge to go can turn into non-stop trips to the bathroom.

What seems like an innocent urge to go can turn into non-stop trips to the bathroom.

This doesn’t seem horrible until life’s special moments getinterrupted by constant trips to the bathroom.

If you’re thinking the issue will never happen to you, think again. Nearly half of senior citizens suffer from urinary incontinence.

Thoughjust because you’re dealing with bladder problems or incontinence doesn’t meanyou’re out of options.

Regaining the control of your bladder takes many forms, but none that are impossible to implement into your life.

If you’re ready to take back your bathroomurges, keep reading for ourtop ways for regaining your bladder control.

Bladder Control Tip #1: Monitor Your Liquid Intake

Asurprising number of people aren’t familiar with just how much your fluid intake influences your bladder control.

Start by first eliminating caffeinated beverages from your life. The caffeine stimulates the production of urine, and can also cause bladder contractions.

Next, start monitoring your overall fluid intake. Stay hydrated, but know that too much liquid can overwhelm your bladder.

It’s important to realize that much of your daily fluid needs can come from foods, and not just water.

People with diets rich in fruits and some vegetables won’t require as much water as those who primarily eat meat.

If you’re feeling hydrated, don’t keep drinking for the sake of drinking water.

Try getting yourself on a set schedule for drinking. Drink set amounts of water at set intervals throughout the day.

This way you can manage how much water you’re drinkingdown to the exact amount. Slowly adjust your intake until you don’t need to urinate more than once every 2-4 hours.

#2: Pelvic Floor Exercises

Your pelvic floor is a complex mix of muscles that work together to perform both urinary and sexual function.

It’s likely you’ve heard the word “Kegel” in a sexual connotation, and if you have you’re already on the right track.

Your “Kegel” muscles, or pelvic floor muscles, work in conjunction to control your bladder’s sphincter.

Weak muscles mean urine can leak out when you least expect it.Here’s an overview of bladder control for better insight into the problem.

Your bladder expands and holds varying amountsof urine. To keep that urine from “leaking,”sphincter muscles control the opening into the urethra.

Weak pelvic floor muscles don’t sealagainst the pressure of a full bladder, and thus bladder control problems arise.

Combating this means performing “Kegel” muscle exercises. Simply flex your pelvic floor muscles like you’re trying to stop yourself from urinating.

There are many different Kegel muscle routines, and which you choose should vary depending on the weakness of your pelvic floor.

#3: Learned Bladder Control

In addition to your pelvicmuscles, urinary response is also controlled by the micturition reflex.

Essentially, it’s an unconscious reflex that’s triggered when your bladder fills. Pressure is put on the nerves and your body triggers the urge that you need to “go.”

Normally, this response works fine. We even have some control over it. “Holding it” is just suppressing yourmicturition reflex.

However, frequently using the restroom when your bladder isn’t very full can cause this response to trigger when it shouldn’t.

If you’re having to pee when your bladder isn’t very full, there’s a chance you’ve aggravated yourmicturition reflex.

Take care only to use the bathroom when youreally have to pee. Proper training involves waiting at least three hours between voiding.

#4: Mind Over Matter

Besidesavoiding physical stimuli and triggers, controlling your mind is an important part of maintaining bladder control.

Similar yourmicturition reflex,thinkingyou need to urinate causes your body to associate less intense urges to bathroom time.

If it sounds like what your parents told you on long car rideswhen you were a child, that’s because it is.

Accomplishing successful mind over matter involves thinking about thingsbesides the restroom.

Focusing your brain on other activities is especially useful. If you have access toanythingthat takes significant brain power, it can help distract you from the urge to urinate.

#5: Medication

Yes, medication is usually a last resort, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t havesuccessful applications.

Different drugs are available that control different parts of the urinary process. Depending on what your underlying causes are, your doctor can prescribe different medications.

For instance, older men with urinary incontinence frequently suffer from an enlarged prostate.

Closing Thoughts on Bladder Control

Whileour other tips can help with bladder control, medication is best to control prostate inflammation.

Likewise, some people need more help than others learningbladder control.

In these cases medication is available to relax the bladder, letting it stretch farther without triggering themicturition reflex.

Learning proper bladder control takes time and effort, but the pay-off is well worth the work.

While not inevitable, it’s highly likely that one day you’ll experience bladder control issues.

Training your bladder, pelvic floor, and monitoring your fluid intake helps ensure that you stop bladder control issues before theyarise.

Buildingproper habits now and continuing them throughout your life can save potentially embarrassing and annoying problems further down the line.

Though if you do develop bladder controlissuesdespiteyour best efforts, take comfort that they’renot permanent.

If all else fails, modern medicine makes it possible to combat even the most annoying bladder issues.

If you’re suffering from bladder control issues, you’ll know the embarrassment that comes with them.

While you’re taking the time to deal with your medical issues, make sure you don’tdeal with any accidental leaks.

We offer a wide variety of liners and other products to help you out while you’retaking back the control of your bladder.

Our team is always open to contact if this sounds like something you’reinterested in.

Don’t let your bladder issue control your life. Take control of the symptoms now and stay worry-free while you work towards a solution.