Overactive bladder is a condition where a person experiences a constant urge to urinate that they cannot ignore. An overactive bladder can cause urine leakage, which can get very embarrassing in public. Here are eight lifestyle tips to manage an overactive bladder.

• Monitor your beverage intake – The more fluids you drink, the more active the bladder gets. For people with an overactive bladder, monitoring and restricting their fluid intake is important. Beverages like tea, coffee, alcohol, and citrus drinks can aggravate the condition. For people who are unable to sleep at night because of the condition, avoiding fluids after 6:00 PM helps.
• Lose weight – One of the most important lifestyle tips to manage overactive bladder is to lose weight. When you are overweight or obese, the excess fat in the body adds more pressure on the bladder and can give you a constant feeling of wanting to urinate.
• Create a bathroom schedule – Start maintaining a log on how many times a day you urinate, what food/beverage you had, and if you were able to make it to the bathroom on time. Set an alarm to use the bathroom once an hour to prevent urine leakages.
• Keep fresh clothes with you – For people with severe overactive bladder, leaks can be a common event. Always carrying an extra pair of fresh clothes will not render them helpless in these situations. This also improves their ability to go out confidently.
• Try kegel exercises – In the list of lifestyle tips to manage overactive bladder, practicing kegel exercises is considered very important. Kegel exercises or pelvic floor exercises help strengthen your pelvic muscles and can prevent incontinence.
• Consider using absorbent pads – If you are unable to socialize with people or work in an office because of your overactive bladder, then consider absorbent pads. These come in different sizes and are easy to use. These can keep you dry for several hours without worrying about leaks and bad odor.
• Keep away from spicy foods – Apart from reducing beverage intake, you should also limit the quantity of spicy foods you eat. Spicy foods can stimulate the bladder, and this can lead to an urge to pee.
• Get medical help – An overactive bladder is not something you should be ashamed of. Asking for help is the most vital of all the lifestyle tips to manage an overactive bladder. Talk to your doctor about the condition to manage the symptoms with the right treatment.

About 33 million Americans have an overactive bladder. Follow all these lifestyle tips to manage an overactive bladder and enjoy a healthy and happy life.