Kegle Exercises & Biofeedback for Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder, which often results in urinary incontinence, is an embarrassing condition that is quite common. Though urinary incontinence can range from a slight leakage of urine to loss of the full contents of the bladder, it is a condition that has numerous conditions. Two of the less invasive options include Kegel exercises and biofeedback.

Causes

• An overactive bladder is a symptom brought on by your daily habits, a physical condition or an underlying medical condition. In some situations, certain foods and beverages can cause the bladder to become overactive. Drinking alcohol, for example, acts as a stimulant to the bladder and increases the frequency of urination. Other factors include hydration, medications you are taking and bladder irritation. Chronic incontinence can be caused by aging, prostate issues, obstructions and neurological problems.

Kegels

• When we age, changes occur to the muscles of our pelvic wall. When weakened, these muscles can lead to an overactive bladder. The goal of Kegel exercises is to strengthen these muscles and the urinary sphincter. However, if you commit to trying Kegel exercises, you will need to practice them quite frequently for them to be effective. According to the Mayo Clinic, Kegel exercises are done by squeezing tight the muscles you would normally use to staunch the flow of urine, counting to three, releasing and then repeating. When practicing Kegels, men will feel their penises pull towards the body.

Biofeedback

• Biofeedback is an alternative remedy that is designed to help you take more control over the ways your body functions. The goal of biofeedback is to learn with some precision what it feels like when your bladder muscles are functioning properly, and when they are not. When you practice Kegels, for example, a computerized biofeedback machine may produce graphic printouts and tones that indicate which muscles you are exercising. This can help you learn which muscles to flex, and how it feels when you are flexing them properly. Biofeedback also gives you an accurate report on the tone of your pelvic floor muscles. Using this information, your doctor can help come up with the proper treatment for your overactive bladder.