Home Remedies For Overactive Bladder: Natural Ways To Find Relief

Do you constantly find yourself going to the bathroom? Are you spending more time in the bathroom than in any other room of the house? Or maybe you're struggling with leaks that are linked to overactive bladder. Either way, bladder troubles suck. There's no denying it. But they don't have to be a life sentence.

Seeking advice from a licensed doctor is important if you have any new bladder symptoms as they can help to diagnose you and exclude more worrying conditions that can have similar symptoms.

However, after diagnosis, many people like to try natural or home remedies as a way to get started on improving their bladder health. Natural remedies may even be able to help you find complete relief if you only have mild symptoms linked to overactive bladder (OAB). So, without any delay, let's take a look at what you can do at home to regain control of your bladder - and your life.

11 Best Overactive Bladder Home Remedies

Getting a handle on those pesky bladder control problems isn't as difficult as it seems - not when you've got a few tips, tricks, and techniques to try out.

Just remember: If one of these bladder control techniques doesn't work for you as well as seeking advice from your doctor, you can simply try another technique on our list Or, you may need to try a combination of things to increase the chances of ridding yourself of OAB symptoms. Either way, relief from overactive bladder is well within reach.

1. Bladder training

When you're dealing with an overactive bladder, it's likely that you may experience some urinary incontinence (which is what causes leaks). This is very common, but we understand why it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable - especially if it happens in public.

But did you know that you can take a lot of control over your bladder symptoms simply by training your body to hold your pee for longer? The brain-bladder connection is incredibly strong, which means you can train your bladder to understand when it can and can't 'let the flow go'.

Bladder training usually involves waiting for longer intervals between your trips to the bathroom. And as long as you can hold it, you should. This will strengthen your bladder and reduce the intense urge to pee over time. Bladder re-training is best done with medical supervision as you can get a personalised plan and you’re not doing it alone.

2. Pelvic floor exercises

Overactive bladder can often occur at the same time as caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles or pelvic floor disorders. Why are these muscles so important? Well, they help support your bladder. So, when they are weak or impaired in any way, it can cause urine leaks.

The good news is that there is a simple solution: Practising exercises like Kegels to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles can help you regain your bladder control. Plus, it's a great way to manage pelvic pain syndrome stress incontinence (which can occur alongside overactive bladder symptoms).

3. Fluid management

Another easy way to treat overactive bladder symptoms is to manage your fluid intake. If you've noticed that your OAB symptoms manifest in a way that causes you to pass urine several times a day (or even an hour), it may be time to watch what you're drinking.

For urinary incontinence, spreading out your fluid consumption throughout the day and not drinking too much at one time can help you regain control of your need to pee.

You should also consider limiting your fluids just before bedtime to avoid leaks or excessive night-time urination (also known as nocturia). After all, there's nothing worse than being woken up from a cosy sleep just to run to the bathroom in the middle of the night. In order to do this safely you must drink well throughout the day.

 It is important to remember that hydration is key and not drinking enough can also cause bladder irritation so remain mindful of your thirst levels and never hold off on drinking water if you need to.

4. Avoid bladder irritants

Your fluid intake may not be the only reason you're passing urine so often. There are plenty of foods that may act as bladder irritants and cause you to lose a certain amount of bladder control and pee more frequently.

Some things to avoid when you're experiencing OAB symptoms include:

• Spicy foods like chilli peppers or foods that contain certain spice blends.

• Acidic foods like citrus fruits or tomato-based products.

• Artificial sweeteners.

• Overly processed foods.

Try to replace these foods with tasty alternatives, or at least limit how much of these foods you're eating.

5. Pumpkin seed extract

Many of us think of pumpkin seeds as the stuff we scrape out of the Halloween pumpkin. But if you're in the know, pumpkin seeds can actually be a powerhouse packed full of nutrients that offer a range of health benefits.

One of these benefits is support for overactive bladders from leaks Pumpkin seeds have been used historically to help people deal with bladder issues. Plus, they contain phytoestrogens which are often used as an herbal treatment for the symptoms of menopause so this is can be particularly helpful if your OAB is caused by menopause.

So, in a nutshell, including pumpkin seed extract in your daily diet can help you improve OAB symptoms. Alternatively, you can get the benefits of pumpkin seeds and soy phytoestrogen (more on this later) from Jude's Bladder Care Supplements.

6. Soy phytoestrogen

As we mentioned with pumpkin seeds, phytoestrogens are frequently used by women as they go through menopause. But you don't only get these handy helpers from pumpkin seed oil. Instead, you can also get it from soy.

Let's take a closer look at what exactly phytoestrogens are, to give you a full overview of what you're putting into your body.

These compounds usually come from plants and have been shown to mimic the effects of estrogen. As a result, many menopausal women use them to try and provide relief.

During menopause, the decline in estrogen levels can make the bladder and pelvic floor muscles weaker. By eating soy-rich products like tofu, soy milk, and edamame, or by taking supplements which contain phyto-oestrogens, you may help mitigate some of your OAB symptoms.

Since both pumpkin seed extract and soy phytoestrogen are natural they may appeal to you more than medications. , Of course, that's a total win-win when you want to avoid medication. However, it's always recommended to see a doctor before starting any supplement, and you should also see a doctor if these natural remedies don't work for you. Supplements and home remedies aren't substitutes for necessary medical treatment and just because a product is natural doesn’t automatically make it safe

7. Herbal treatments

There are plenty of other natural treatments that you may want to try to manage urinary incontinence. For example, certain herbs like palmetto or cranberry extract may help soothe overactive bladder.

Cranberries may help with things like urinary tract infections (UTIs). Plus, palmetto is known for its use in supporting prostate health in men but both men and women have reported potential benefits for the bladder.

8. Magnesium

Adding magnesium to your diet (either by eating magnesium-rich foods or taking supplements) may play a role in managing urinary incontinence, especially if you have a magnesium deficiency. 

Magnesium is that supports nerve function and promotes relaxation throughout your body. That's why you're more likely to spasm or cramp when you have a magnesium deficiency.

 Theoretically, this could also apply to your bladder. If you don't get enough magnesium, your bladder may contract more frequently or intensely. This may lead to the sensation of needing to sprint to the loo. 

9. Vitamin D

You're probably already aware that vitamin D is essential for your muscles, bone health and overall health Well, this applies for your bladder muscles, too.

What is surprising is that a vitamin D deficiency can potentially contribute to pelvic floor disorders (which include urinary incontinence). For this reason, you'll want to make sure that you're getting enough vitamin D. You can do this through sun exposure (who doesn't love spending time in the sun?), a good diet, and taking supplements. Do remember to use sun protection if you are out in the sun for long periods, though. 

When you add vitamin D to your diet, you're not only going to help support your bladder, but you'll feel better, in other ways, too. Some foods that are rich in vitamin D include:

• Fatty fish

• Fortified dairy products

• Egg yolks

10. Limit caffeine and alcohol

We've already touched on bladder irritants and how they can worsen your bladder symptoms, but did you know that some beverages can do the same thing?

Yup, things like caffeine-rich drinks (including coffee and energy drinks) and alcohol can make your bladder more sensitive. Both caffeine and alcohol act as a diuretic, which means they make your bladder fill more quickly. On the other hand, alcohol can also interfere with your brain's ability to signal to your bladder that it's full this can lead to you not realising when your bladder is full and causing more irritation 

Avoiding or at least limiting your intake of these drinks can help regulate your bladder's flow and reduce the manifestation of nasty overactive bladder symptoms. While you're at it, you may also want to limit the amount of fizzy drinks you consume and those that contain artificial sweeteners.

11. Fibre intake

Have you ever had a blocked-up tummy and felt like it was making it harder to hold your pee? There's a good reason for this. When your bowels are full, it can put additional pressure on your bladder, which makes it more difficult to hold even the smallest amount of pee.

To avoid this - and help make you more regular in the process - you should introduce more fibre into your diet.

Fibre keeps your tummy working regularly, which reduces the chances that you're going to experience tummy aches and constipation. And no constipation and regular bowel movements indirectly also mean that you're not going to have anything putting unnecessary pressure on your bladder.

FAQs

How do I know when I'm dealing with an overactive bladder or something else?

If you're unsure of what's causing the discomfort in your bladder, the best thing to do is consult your doctor. It can be really tricky to differentiate between OAB and other urinary issues, especially since a lot of the symptoms overlap.

So, to be sure that you've narrowed your troubles down to the root of the cause and got the correct treatment for the problem, head over to your local GP and have them take a look. Then, relief is hopefully just around the corner.

Do home remedies for an overactive bladder also work for UTIs?

Some home remedies like adding herbal treatments to your diet can work well for UTIs, too. However, since a UTI is primarily an infection, it's important to receive the necessary medical treatment. When these things are left untreated, they can get pretty nasty.

Of course, sometimes a UTI can resolve itself on its own. This is fine if you have very mild symptoms that go away within a day or two. But even with mild symptoms, it can be worth seeing a doctor. And if it's a persistent problem or you have more severe symptoms like fevers, it's time to head over to the doctor.

Final Thoughts

An overactive bladder can be incredibly irritating, uncomfortable, and inconvenient to deal with. But it doesn't have to be a thorn in your side forever.

Identifying the problem is the first step to finding relief. And, once you know what's causing your urinary incontinence, you can try out one of these natural remedies. Remember: You should always consult your doctor if your bladder troubles persist. There's no substitute for quality medical care! 

References

• https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/home-remedies

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317091#summary

• https://www.advancedurologyinstitute.com/natural-remedies-for-an-overactive-bladder/

• https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/ss/slideshow-oab-natural-remedies

• https://pharmeasy.in/blog/home-remedies-for-frequent-urination/

• https://www.health.com/condition/incontinence/12-natural-remedies-for-incontinence

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