Managing Elderly Incontinence In Monsoon

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is defined as involuntary leakage of urine.  While UI can happen to anyone, it is more common in older people.

According to health experts, this condition gets aggravated during monsoon. Avoiding incontinence, especially during monsoon, requires a combination of lifestyle changes. There are measures that you can put in place in order to live a carefree and confident life without having to worry about bladder dysfunction.

Here are a few tips that can be followed:

• Use Adult Diapers

Elders with incontinence often refrain from enjoying monsoon because the weather makes them more exposed to humidity and hence prone to leakage. However, with the adult diaper pants, it is now possible for them to enjoy the drizzle without having to worry about leakage. Just ensure you pick the right type, right size, and the right brand.

• Drink Enough Water

Drinking less water leads to dehydration and further irritation in the bladder. Hence, ensure you drink enough water to keep the bladder clean and healthy.  However, be smart about when you drink. For example, limiting fluids a few hours before bedtime will help prevent unwanted trips to the bathroom during the night.

• Follow a Healthy Diet Plan

Everything you eat can affect your UI. Hence, meal planning is important if you are suffering from this condition. While you don’t have to be very strict with your diet, you would want to be a little mindful while eating.

Start with simple diet changes as given below:

• Caffeine, alcohol, sodas, fizzy drinks, vinegar, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and fast food should be strictly avoided.
• If you have an overactive bladder, avoid eating spicy foods, since they tend to irritate the lining of your bladder.
• Include lots of green and coloured vegetables in your diet. They have a good amount of nutrients.
• You can alternate tea and coffee with herbal drinks like jasmine tea, chamomile tea or green tea.
• Citrus and acidic food items like orange, pineapple, tomatoes can bother your bladder and increase your urge to go to the bathroom. Hence stay away from these food items.

• Kegel Exercise

One of the best ways to curb urinary incontinence is to perform Kegel exercises. These exercises are known to flex muscles in order to stop continuous urinary flow. They not only treat the early stages of incontinence but also help strengthen pelvic muscles.

• Wear Appropriate Clothes

The clothes that you wear in the monsoon season also play an important role in how you feel with incontinence. So, wear breezy loose clothes, since heavy and tight outfits increase the discomfort level.

While all the above suggestions are easy and simple to follow, it’s advisable that you first talk to your healthcare provider about these home treatment options before starting any of them. While it can be embarrassing to talk about bathroom habits, a few tips can help you lead a full and active life without worrying about leakage.