Do you find yourself constantly running to the bathroom? You’re not the only one. Over 25 million American adults, 80 percent of them women, have bladder-control problems, according to the National Association for Continence. More than half of those affected have not discussed their condition with their health care provider, which is unfortunate because there are ways to treat it.
Some of the problems people face range from an overactive bladder, defined as urinating more than eight times per day, to leaking urine when laughing, crying or sneezing. Some people have a constant urge to urinate. Tests can rule out any underlying conditions for which frequent urination is a symptom, such as diabetes or menopause. If an underlying physical condition is not the cause, behavioral changes may help.
One remedy is to practice Kegel exercises three times a day, three to four days a week. The exercise involves tightening and releasing pelvic muscles used to stop urine flow. Another step is to avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol, which irritate the bladder, leading to extra bathroom trips. You should drink water during the day but cut back in the evening to avoid having to get up during the night.
A third suggestion is to develop new bladder habits. Go to the bathroom on a schedule or when you feel a large urge to go, but don’t make trips to the bathroom before leaving the house “just to be safe.”
If you’re constantly feeling the urge to go, be sure to tell your doctor. Beginning the path toward a calmer bladder will lead to less time spent in the bathroom and more time enjoying life.