An overactive bladder is more than an inconvenience, it can lower your quality of life. Although it is most prevalent in elderly people, it can happen to anyone. There are a variety of treatments available, from medicine to surgery. For those who like avoid treatments that involve medication, there are alternative methods of treatment. If you are suffering from an overactive bladder, here are a variety of natural treatments that you can try. Keep in mind that you should still visit your doctor so that he can diagnose your problem before you start any treatment.
Behavioral Treatment
One natural approach is to undergo bladder training. Your doctor may have you keep a diary of your urinating patterns, and create a program for you to follow. This can consist of a plan to learn how to delay urination, and/or the creation of a bathroom schedule.
Kegel Exercises
Pelvic Floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, are another natural treatment for an overactive bladder. These exercises strengthen the muscles on the pelvic floor that support your bladder. It can be a little tricky to find these muscles, and to learn how to do these exercises properly.
In order to find the pelvic floor muscles, the next time you go to the bathroom, try to stop urinating after you've started . If you were able to stop the urine flow, then you have found the correct muscles. To preform the exercise lie on your back, and contract the muscles. You should hold the contraction for three seconds and relax for the same amount. Repeat this exercise ten times, and perform this routine three times a day. Once you can the three second contractions come easy, move on to four seconds, and so on. If you are consistent with the Kegel exercises, you should see the results of stronger pelvic floor muscles within a couple months.
Herbal Remedies
There are some herbal treatments that you can consider to help with an overactive bladder. Pumpkin seed oil with kava, as well as magnesium can be used to help with an irritable or overactive bladder. Magnesium can be especially helpful in reducing urination at night. The herb Buschu is used to treat bladder infections, and is said to promote bladder health. Cornsilk, like Buschu, can be used to treat bladder infections, and is sometimes used with Buschu. Cornsilk may also reduce bladder inflammation.
Diet Changes
The most natural treatment you can try is cutting foods from your diet that may be causing the problem. By cutting out certain foods for a few weeks, you should be able to test whether or not the food is the cause. Sometimes a sensitivity to any of the following can cause an overactive bladder, by causing inflammation. These foods include: dairy products, sugar, citrus fruits, spicy foods and fried foods. Alcohol and caffeine can also be instigators of an inflamed bladder.
You should cut suspected foods from your diet for a few weeks, and look for a reduction or disappearance of your symptoms. Introduce the cut foods back into your diet, to see if the symptoms return. If the removal of certain foods caused the symptoms to dissipate, then your treatment may be as natural as watching the foods you eat.
See Your Doctor
Remember, before you start any type of treatment, it is important to visit your doctor. She can diagnose your problem, and plan the best program for treating your overactive bladder.
