Incontinence in Men

Many men refuse to acknowledge problems with incontinence and suffer in silence. There are many techniques that will lessen these episodes and there are several new drugs that can help as well. This guide covers some non-medicinal strategies that are most often recommended by doctors. Typically, it is better to explore all natural solutions to a medical problem before committing to a life-long drug intervention.

Incontinence triggers

Incontinence usually becomes a problem in older men due to an enlarged prostate, or after prostate surgery. Problems with the prostate can damage nerves in this area and interfere with the normal nerve signals which allow the bladder to operate normally. Typically, episodes of incontinence occur under stress (lifting or bending) or because of nerve damage that prevents normal urge control of the bladder. Although some activities may be impossible to avoid altogether, an awareness of personal triggers of incontinence help many men avoid unexpected accidents.

Food and Drink

Many men try to limit incontinence by reducing their fluid intake. This is not a good solution. Hydration is necessary for a full, healthy life. The problems of dehydration, especially in older men, are very serious and should be avoided. Also, if a man doesn't provide his body with plenty of fluids, he will find that his urine will become very concentrated, leading to infections and making incontinence even more of a problem.

Diet plays a strong role in incontinence. Spicy foods can irritate an overactive bladder in many people. Also, drinks with caffeine can also be an irritant.

Retraining your body

The human body responds strongly to routine. Setting and exact time to go to the bathroom each day helps to "teach" the badder appropriate behavior. In establishing a new routine, it's important to utilize the bathroom regardless if you feel an urge. Over time, the body will learn the routine and you will have begun to retake control of bladder.

Keep a diary

It's important to keep a diary of your episodes of incontinence so that you can have a meaningful conversation with your doctor about incontinence. Your diary should contain the foods you eat, what you drink, and what you were doing when the incontinence occurred.

Medications

As a last resort there are new medications on the market which help with this problem. These should be adopted as a last resort since it is a commitment to life-long dependence.