An overactive bladder can disrupt your life. Having to rush to the bathroom day and night can really affect not only your home life, but your work and social life as well. It doesn’t have to be that way though, there are ways to cope with the everyday impact of an overactive bladder and the persistent urge to urinate.
Having the constant urge to urinate can have you frequently running to the bathroom which might garner unwanted attention from co-workers or could hinder your productivity.
If this sounds like you, try these helpful hints for the workplace:
- Ask for a desk closer to bathroom. Whenever you have the urge to urinate, you can save time throughout day by being closer to the bathroom. It will also cause less attention because people won’t notice you dashing to the bathroom constantly. It will also make you feel less self-conscious which in turn, will improve your productivity.
- Limit your coffee breaks. When you have an overactive bladder, you should still drink a healthy amount of fluids. However, it’s important to choose your beverages wisely. “Limit the types of fluids that will aggravate your symptoms, like those with caffeine,” says Yvonne Koch, MD, assistant professor of urology at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine. If you can’t shake the habit, try to stick to decaffeinated coffee or tea.
- Pack your lunch. A recent study suggests that consuming excess fat and calories increases the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Try to pack healthy lunches that are low in fat and calories and avoid fast-food restaurants with large drink portions.
An Overactive Bladder at a Restaurant or Get-Together
Some people with an overactive bladder avoid social activities or group outings due to the embarrassment from using the restroom often. You can apply some of the same tips that you use at the office which will allow you to enjoy your social outings with friends.
Here are more tips for curbing your urge to urinate when out and about:
- Avoid highly spicy foods and acidic foods. It’s not clear why, but some people find these foods irritate symptoms of overactive bladder, Koch says.
- Ask where the bathroom is when you arrive at your destination. It will relax you knowing exactly where the bathroom is when you feel the urge to urinate. Also, it might make you feel better to request a table closer to the bathroom.
- Skip the alcohol. Alcohol, like caffeine, is a diuretic and can cause frequent urination. If you’re worried about having to go to the bathroom, trying sipping on water, seltzer, or non-caffeinated beverages.
You can take back control of your life with an overactive bladder! Talk to your doctor about treatments that are available to you. “You should see a urologist because there are medications that can be prescribed,” Koch advises. Start using these tips to manage your overactive bladder and get back to your life.
