Bladder Health Program Many women may suffer in silence due to the embarrassment associated with urinary incontinence and other bladder or pelvic floor disorders. Daily tasks may become more difficult, since coughing, laughing, or sneezing may trigger an accident. Fortunately, there are now simple solutions and enhanced treatments available for these disorders. Dietary changes *Drink in moderation. Many women drink more than they need for their body to function well. As a result, their kidneys make a large amount of urine and they feel the need to urinate frequently. Generally speaking, eating a healthy diet and drinking 6, 8oz. glasses of fluid per day is plenty. Eat plenty of fiber daily to avoid constipation. Use a stool softener if you continue to struggle with constipation to avoid excessive straining with bowel movements. Avoid bladder irritants.* Certain foods are known to irritate the bladder. They cause bladder muscle spasms which make women suddenly feel like they have to urinate often causing them to leak on the way to the bathroom. Bladder irritants include: Caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and some energy drinks Citrus foods and juices Artificial sweeteners Alcoholic drinks Restrict drinking after dinner to reduce the number of trips to the bathroom at night. Seek treatment for leg swelling. Many women will notice that as the day progresses their ankles and legs swell. This retained water is removed from the body by the kidneys as urine when the legs are elevated for a while. Some women report needing to empty a full bladder every 2 hours at night. This is exhausting and dangerous since a loss of balance at night may increase the risk for a fall and bone fracture.

Bladder Health Program

Many women may suffer in silence due to the embarrassment associated with urinary incontinence and other bladder or pelvic floor disorders. Daily tasks may become more difficult, since coughing, laughing, or sneezing may trigger an accident. Fortunately, there are now simple solutions and enhanced treatments available for these disorders.

Dietary changes

Drink in moderation. Many women drink more than they need for their body to function well. As a result, their kidneys make a large amount of urine and they feel the need to urinate frequently. Generally speaking, eating a healthy diet and drinking 6, 8oz. glasses of fluid per day is plenty.
Eat plenty of fiber daily to avoid constipation. Use a stool softener if you continue to struggle with constipation to avoid excessive straining with bowel movements.
Avoid bladder irritants. Certain foods are known to irritate the bladder. They cause bladder muscle spasms which make women suddenly feel like they have to urinate often causing them to leak on the way to the bathroom. Bladder irritants include:
- Caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and some energy drinks
- Citrus foods and juices
- Artificial sweeteners
- Alcoholic drinks
Restrict drinking after dinner to reduce the number of trips to the bathroom at night.
Seek treatment for leg swelling. Many women will notice that as the day progresses their ankles and legs swell. This retained water is removed from the body by the kidneys as urine when the legs are elevated for a while. Some women report needing to empty a full bladder every 2 hours at night. This is exhausting and dangerous since a loss of balance at night may increase the risk for a fall and bone fracture.