Treatment Options: How Lifestyle Changes Can Help
One of the first things Incontinence Centers of America may suggest is making lifestyle changes. This means cutting back on things that can irritate your bladder, like smoking, coffee, alcohol, soda, and tea. We may also recommend eating more fiber, losing weight, drinking fluids less frequently, following a regular bathroom schedule, and not drinking a beverage two hours before bed. Depending on how intense your symptoms are, these lifestyle changes may help relieve your symptoms.
Exploring Behavioral Therapy as a Treatment Option
Another treatment option we may recommend is behavioral therapy, which includes a variety of techniques:
- Bladder training. You go to the restroom at set times instead of going when you have the urge to urinate.
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises). These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and the urinary sphincter.
- Biofeedback. This technique helps people learn how to control their pelvic floor muscles, which is important for bladder function. In a session, sensors are attached to your body and connected to a computer that shows how well your muscles are working.
- Self-monitoring. You keep a bladder diary.
- Urge suppression techniques OR Urge Strategies. You resist the urgent feeling of going to the restroom.
Incontinence Centers of America may recommend one or more behavior therapy techniques to determine if this will help resolve your bladder or bowel symptoms.
Medications for Managing Bladder and Bowel Issues
We may prescribe medication for you to take while you are making lifestyle changes and/or doing behavioral therapy recommendations. Some medications that are normally prescribed include Mirabegron, Myrbetriq, and Gemtesa, but you may receive a different medication depending on your diagnosis.
When Traditional Treatments Aren't Effective
If traditional treatments haven’t resolved your bladder or bowel issues, Axonic Therapy might be the most effective solution for you. Axonic Therapy is a cutting-edge, long-term solution that has successfully helped many with their bladder and bowel issues.
Ready to find relief? Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your symptoms and see what treatment is right for you.
