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What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary Incontinence is the word for describing the incapability to handle the urination, which can be seen as the leakage of urine or losing urine involuntarily[1][2]. This problem is very common for all age and gender, and is sometimes understood as a debilitating issue or urological disorder.
Symptoms: Urinary Incontinence is classified into 3 main groups
- Urge Incontinence: this type is caused by a hyperactive or overactive bladder which initiates an intense and instantaneous urge to urinate, thus cause losing urine involuntarily.
- Stress Incontinence: this type is caused by various physical movements such as coughing and sneezing, laughing and jumping or excessive exercises which pressure the bladder and cause losing urine involuntarily.
- Overflow Incontinence: this type is described as the incapability to empty the bladder completely which cause leakage of urine constantly.
What causes Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary Incontinence can come from various factors
- Age as the muscles of the bladder will weaken with increasing age
- The pelvic floor muscles are weaken after childbirth or surgery
- The enlargement of prostate
- The menopause
- The bladder is overactive
- Damages of nerve system
- Urinary stones, constipation and tract infections
- There are some drinks and foods or medications which can trigger the temporary Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence can make the person uncomfortable, inconvenient and embarrassed. It is also dangerous as empty the bladder incompletely will create a habitat for bacteria to grow. Incontinence is only the problems or symptoms for further illnesses or disorders such as cancer[3].
In order to get rid of Urinary Incontinence, it is essential to identify the correct cause. Besides consulting with the doctors, there are some home remedies or lifestyle advices which can assist you in controlling the problem.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for urinary incontinence which you can easily apply at home in order to support you in getting rid of the problems of urinary incontinence and improve your excretory system.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is well-known as a health tonic. Its functions are removing toxins and prevent infections on the bladder. Furthermore, vinegar is excellent for losing weight. The reason is because overweight especially on the abdomen and hips will pressure the bladder which can cause Urinary Incontinence[4].
How to use:
- Dilute 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar with a glass of water
- Put in a little bit of raw honey
- Consume 2 to 3 times per day until there are positive results
Note: In case you have an overactive bladder or your bladder is irritated from consuming the liquid, avoid using apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is a home remedy for problems of not only the urination but also the general excretory system such as anal itching. You can find out more at: Home Remedies for Anal Itching.
2. Cleavers
Cleavers is known as a traditional tonic for treating problems with urination. It can cure such problems as overactive bladder or cystitis. It can reduce effectively the irritation in the bladder by creating a soothing coating for the bladder[5].
How to use:
- Prepare 2 to 3 teaspoon of cleavers with a glass of hot water
- Put the herbs into hot water for 10 to 15 minutes
- Consume the tea for 3 times per day until there are positive results.
3. Gosha-jinki-gan
Gosha-jinki-gan is the traditional herbal medicine from China which contains different kinds of herb. It is effective against the problems of Urinary Incontinence, especially overactive bladder[6][7].
The herbs from this supplement can help people with overactive bladder controlling the frequency and urgency of urination as well as urination at night.
Remember to consult with the doctors for proper dosages and ingredients before taking the medicine.
4. Buchu
The short-leaf buchu or in medical term “Agathosma Betulina” is a tonic which is good for urinary tract as well as promote a healthy urinary system. Due to the diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, this herb can help you fighting back the bladder infection which is often the cause for Urinary Incontinence[8]. This herb also increases the tissue’s strength for urination together with reduce irritation of the urinary system.
How to use:
- Prepare 1 teaspoon of this herb and a glass of hot water
- Dip the herb into hot water for 5 to 10 minutes
- Consume the tea for few times per day until there are positive results
Note: Avoid consuming this herb if your urinary tract is swelling and in pain. Have the doctors’ advice before consuming any more herbal medications.
5. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is well-known for increasing strength of the muscles which can help fighting against Urinary Incontinence[9][10]. People especially women who possess high level of Vitamin D will have less chance to face pelvic floor disorders which can cause Urinary Incontinence.
How to use:
- Sunbath in the early morning helps the body generating Vitamin D.
- Consume rich-Vitamin D foods such as seafood, fish, egg yolk and other dairy products.
- Consume Vitamin D supplements according to the doctors’ advice.
Vitamin D is also an essential mineral to cure other diseases such as cellulitis or hangnails. You can find out more at: Home Remedies for Cellulitis and Hangnails.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is efficient in treating incontinence as it helps relaxing muscles in the body. Due to its property, magnesium is able to reduce spasms in the bladder’s muscles which improve the ability to empty the bladder completely[11].
Women who are having urge incontinence caused by detrusor overactivity can be treated with magnesium hydroxide.
How to use:
- Consume 350mg of magnesium hydroxide twice per days for couples of week. However, seek doctor’s advice before taking any kind of supplementary.
- Consume rich-magnesium foods such as yogurts, bananas, seeds and nuts.
- Take Epsom salt bath for few times per week because Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate. Take the bath for 15 to 20 minutes in order to let the body absorb magnesium. Make Epsom salt bath by diluting 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt into the warm bath.
Similar to Vitamin D, magnesium is also important for controlling various problems such as hair loss or leg cramps. You can find out more at: Home Remedies for Hair Loss and Leg Cramps.
7. Yoga
Practice yoga helps tightening the muscles which control the urethral sphincter. Furthermore, yoga can help you relaxing from depression and anxiety[12][13][14]. Overall, yoga is an effective home remedy for controlling Urinary Incontinence.
Women who experience stress incontinence can have positive result after spending 6 weeks with yoga therapy. Women who do so can observe dramatic decrease in leakage frequency of urination up to 70%.
Such yoga poses as Squat Pose, Chair Pose, Triangle Pose and Root Lock are very effective for controlling Urinary Incontinence. However, you should practice under instructions of professional yoga trainer or register for proper yoga classes.
8. Pelvic Floor (Kegel) Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises are effective in the early stage of Urinary Incontinence. Practice those exercises will improve the control of the bladder as well as reduce the leakage of urination. Moreover, the exercises are also good for relaxing stress and handling urge incontinence.
How to use:
- Tighten the floor muscles of your pelvic and hold for 8 counts. In case the time is too long, just hold for the longest you can possibly
- After that, relax your muscles for 8 counts and start again
- Repeat 3 times per day, each time do 8 to 12 turns
In order to locate the pelvic floor muscles, you can follow these steps: while you are urinating, stop halfway and then restart. You can feel the muscles when you pause the urinating process which is the pelvic floor muscles.
Remember to consult with professional physical therapist for proper training technique. Also depend on your personal circumstance that the technique might vary.
Note: While practicing pelvic floor muscles, relax the muscles of your buttocks, thighs and abdomen. Also remember to breathe as normal and empty bladder before practicing.
9. Meditation
The combination of meditation and guided imagery is very effective in improving body control as well as reducing incontinence.
The cognitive therapy which consists of guided imagery and deep breathing can help the brain controlling the bladder better which is essential for fighting against urge incontinence.
Apply this exercise for couples of week and observe for improvement.
10. Acupuncture
Chinese Acupuncture can directly affect the function of kidneys as well as improving the strength of the urinary system which in turn help reducing Urinary Incontinence.
This type of therapy is known as a remedy for treating incontinence; therefore it is able to strengthen your capability to hold urine and further reduce the urgency of urination.
There are some acupuncture points which are essential for treating overactive bladder such as BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL39, CV3, CV4, CV6, GV4, KI3, LI11 and ST36. Remember to get acupuncture from professional therapists and majority of the acupuncture points are located on the lower part of your abdomen and back.
Extra Tips:
- Increase fiber in the diet. Constipation occurs due to the lack of fiber which can increase pressure on the bladder.
- Avoid drinking over amount of water, only consume the sufficient amount.
- Maintain a normal level of weight; try to lose any extra weight.
- Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes per day and repeat for at least 5 days per week.
- Quit smoking due to its effect as causing an overactive bladder.
- Keep out of caffeine and alcohol due to its effect as exacerbating the overactive bladder and causing more irritation onto the bladder.
- Keep out of foods such as peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits and spicy dishes due to its effect as irritating the bladder.
- Keep out of artificial sweeteners as it will increase the frequency and urgency of urination.
- Follow a urinating schedule of every 2 to 4 hours consistently, even if there is no urgency for urinating.
- Keep close observation of the symptoms so that the doctors can determine the causes and treatment plan best suit for you.
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