SIMS HOSPITAL

A common problem that is not restricted to older people is urinary incontinence, and many are not aware that behavioral strategies play an important role in controlling urinary incontinence. These include alterations in the diet, urinary habits, and lifestyle changes.

The required changes and alterations to be made are entirely dependent on the individual conditions of the patient. However, these are the most common tips as far as the diet to overcome urinary incontinence is concerned:

1. Have the optimum amount of water: If you do not drink enough water, you are likely to get dehydrated. When you have incontinence, drinking a lot of water can also be detrimental. It means that drinking the recommended dose of 6 to 8 glasses of water could also pose a problem. On the other side, when you drink little water, you may end up irritating the bladder. That is why it is important to ask the doctor how much water you must drink.
2. Avoid alcohol and smoking: Alcohol has a negative influence on the bladder as it can potentially affect the messages from the bladder which tells it to hold urine and to release it. When you are consuming alcohol, you are likely to lose the control over the signaling, and it would invariably result in incontinence. If you can cut out alcohol completely, it can definitely fetch the best results. If you cannot cut it down completely, you should consider reducing the amount considerably.
3. Shun spicy foods: When you have to deal with an overactive bladder, you should refrain from eating spicy foods such as chili peppers and horseradish. This is because spicy foods irritate the lining of the bladder and therefore they should be avoided at all costs. A viable alternative to these could be salads and fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Say no to caffeine: Caffeine makes you feel the urgency to use the toilet along with prompting the body to get rid of the liquid contents of the body. It is best to remove caffeine from the diet as much as possible. It is really difficult to get rid of teas, coffees, soft drinks and chocolate and if you feel that you are not able to cut it down, you should try to have your caffeine dose in the morning rather than night. It is, however, necessary to limit caffeine intake to one serving in a day.
5. Stay away from citrus: Though fresh fruits and vegetables are always recommended, you should not consume citrus fruits such as lemons, pineapple, oranges since they can bother your bladder and make you feel the urge to go.

Along with these diet changes, if you are overweight, you should try to lose some weight since overweight can cast pressure on the bladder and result in incontinence. Thus, by making such minor yet crucial changes, the condition can be overcome easily.

The urinary tract starts from the kidneys to the urethra where urine is passed out. Given the rich concentration of minerals and toxic wastes, it is highly prone to multiple infections. UTI, as urinary tract infections are often referred to, is one of the most common infections. In women, especially, every 1 in 2 women is affected by an UTI. Whichever part of the tract is affected, the symptoms and treatment are mostly the same. Read on to know some of the most common symptoms and treatment options for these.

Symptoms

1. A burning sensation with urination
2. Pain with urination
3. Burning sensation or pain in the urethra or vagina
4. Frequent urge to urinate, though not much urine is passed out
5. Sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder
6. Pain in the lower back on the sides of the spine
7. Change in the urine characteristics color, smell, or appearance
8. Fever or chills, maybe associated with shivering, nausea and vomiting

Causes

Most urinary tract infections are bacterial in nature, and these could find their way into the body through multiple ways.

1. The most common is through the urethra, which could happen due to unclean toilet habits.
2. Women especially are advised to wipe the urethra after each toilet visit. The bacteria from the feces can also enter the urethra due to close proximity
3. Use of unclean public toilets is another reason for UTIs

Tests

Though most often UTI does not require specific testing, the following are useful in confirming the diagnosis.

1. Culture and sensitivity: The urine is sent for a culture to identify the exact organism that has caused the infection. It also helps identify the right antibiotic which will help bring the infection under control.

Treatment:

UTIs are very common infections and though there is nothing to worry, it should be cleared completely.

1. Antibiotic course to get rid of the infection. Though you begin to feel better, the complete course should be completed to clear the infection.
2. Following culture testing to ensure the infection is cleared
3. Improve water intake to get rid of the toxins
4. Fever and pain to be controlled with medications
5. Healthy hygiene habits to ensure clearing of infection

Prevention:

Recurrent UTIs is a common problem, and the following can help prevent.

1. Ensure complete emptying of the bladder
2. Drink adequate water
3. Safe toilet habits, including before and after sex
4. Comfortable and clean underwear to prevent infection

The kidneys filter the blood and eliminate the waste products through urine. The waste deposition is sometimes in the form of excessive calcium, uric acid and other undesirable contents. It causes the urine to get highly saturated. The solid depositions then turn into stone like formations, also termed as renal lithiasis or calculi. There are different kinds of kidney stones, which are differentiated based on its varied constituents. Kidney stones cause excruciating pain and uneasiness. Frequent urination and discomfort during urination, presence of blood in the urine, are some major signs of kidney stones.

Kidney stones can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet with sufficient nutrients:

1. Calcium and oxalate-rich food should be consumed together. This leads to the binding of calcium and oxalate together in the stomach intestines, before they can be processed in the kidneys. This helps to control the formation of calcium and oxalate depositions in the kidneys.
2. Do not cut down on calcium. Since most of the kidney stones are found to be calcium depositions, many people tend to cut down on their calcium intake. It is important to continue with food that is rich in calcium such as milk. However, it is necessary to reduce intake of other calcium supplements. Decrease in calcium can lead to degeneration and deformation in bones and muscles.
3. Too much of red meat consumption and high fat dairy products can lead to the formation of stones in the kidneys. Animal protein is rich in purine that increases uric acid, saturating the urine and creating stones. It is important to balance your diet by including lots of green vegetables, whole grains, fibres, fruits and low-fat dairy products. Opt for non-animal protein such as lentils or legumes.
4. Cut down on sugary and aerated drinks. They contribute to the formation of depositions due to their high and unhealthy levels of fructose and preservatives.
5. Reduce or abstain from alcohol. Alcohol is known for its multiple disadvantages to the human body. It has also been found to increase the levels of uric acid in blood.
6. Keep your body hydrated. Drink adequate quantity of water throughout the day, preferably 3 litres or more depending on your physical activities. It prevents the solidification of the depositions and helps to eliminate wastes smoothly.
7. Increase the intake of anti-oxidants in the form of green tea, dark chocolates and fruits.
8. Lower the intake of salt.

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