MAILBAG: Ease Bathroom Misses NATURALLY
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 27, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“I’ve been dealing with urinary incontinence for a little over a year. Are there any natural remedies to keep it from happening?”
– Rosemary from Tallahassee, FL
Hi Rosemary,
Urinary incontinence (UI) can have many different causes. It’s essential to see a doctor to have UI properly diagnosed.
Before we talk about what has helped some folks manage their symptoms without drugs, let’s go over some of the most common triggers for this frustrating condition.
UI is often caused by an overactive bladder. When stimulated, the bladder releases a bit of urine. The question is, what’s causing the over-activity?
UI can be the result of certain health conditions, including…
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- nerve damage
- weak pelvic muscles (especially in women who have had children)
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
Certain medications can stimulate UI. These include…
- diuretics (water pills)
- muscle relaxants
- narcotics
- antihistamines
- some blood pressure medications (alpha-adrenergic antagonists)
Anyone battling urinary incontinence who hasn’t seen a doctor yet should make an appointment. Your doc can help you rule out medications and medical conditions to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Now let’s talk about a few drug-free solutions. Keep in mind no solution works for everyone, but you may find one or more of these simple approaches helps ease your own symptoms:
Kegel Exercises: Kegels are pelvic floor exercises. Contracting the muscles of your pelvic floor can help make them stronger.
The Mayo Clinic has some simple instructions for doing these easy-to-master exercises.
The key is to do Kegels regularly. They only take a few minutes and can dramatically reduce urinary incontinence.
Avoid Triggers: Many foods can irritate your bladder wall, stimulating urinary incontinence. This list includes caffeine (coffee, chocolate, and soda), alcohol, citrus foods/juices, spicy foods, artificial sweeteners, and sugar.
To find your own triggers, try an elimination diet. You remove each group of potential trigger foods one at a time for two to three weeks.
If there are any improvements, remove the offending foods permanently. If there’s no change, you can go ahead and add it back into your diet.
Double–Voiding: Double-voiding is just what it sounds like. You urinate, wait a few minutes, and then go again.
Double-voiding is a great technique to use before going to bed.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture certainly doesn’t work for everyone with UI. But for some folks, it’s a game changer.
So it may be worth giving this ancient practice a try to see if it helps ease your own symptoms.
P.S. Need a bit more help avoiding those bathroom dashes and unfortunate misses? Researchers say this crucial vitamin can help RELIEVE overactive bladder symptoms.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...
Mailbag: Tinnitus Solutions Silence the Noise Naturally
“What do you recommend for getting rid of tinnitus? Does it lead to dementia?” -Annoyed By Noise Tinnitus—the maddening ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears—can drive anyone up the wall. This common condition affects an estimated 749 million people worldwide, producing phantom sounds that aren’t caused by external sources. Tinnitus strikes seniors more than...
Paxlovid’s Promise Falls Flat (Not Worth the Price Tag?)
It looks like Big Pharma has done it again. Remember when Paxlovid was rolled out with great fanfare—promising it would be a game-changer for COVID-19 patients? Pfizer executives certainly hoped you were paying attention—especially while they were charging a whopping $1,650 per treatment. But a new study suggests this expensive medication might not be worth...