Ways to Deal With an Overactive Bladder

People who have an overactive bladder often feel the sudden urge to urinate. Often times, this urgency is hard to suppress and can lead to accidents. Overactive bladders occur when the bladder muscles involuntarily contract. This causes a person to feel the sudden urge to urinate. There are things people can do to help them deal better with an overactive bladder.

Incontinence Pads

• Incontinence pads are a common way to deal with an overactive bladder. Pads are worn under garments to protect clothing and to prevent embarrassing leaks.

Kegel Exercises

• Kegel exercises can be performed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle, as well as the urinary sphincter. Tighten your muscles within the vaginal walls by squeezing. Hold the tightened muscles for at least 20 seconds, release and repeat. Do Kegel exercises throughout the day as often as you can. It usually takes eight weeks to notice a positive result, so don't give up.

Bladder Training

• Doctors often recommend bladder training to help overactive bladders. To train the bladder, try to delay voiding of urination when the urge hits. Start with small delays, and wait five-to-ten minutes before urinating. Gradually work your way to longer delays, urinating every three-to-four hours.

Medications

• Medications can be taken to help control overactive bladders. Detrol and Ditropan are two common medications prescribed to treat overactive bladders. Medications relax the bladder, controlling muscles spasms that cause a person to feel that urgent need to urinate.