Bladder control problems effect many people, especially as they begin to get older.  Though incontinence is common, it is not something that “just happens”.  Incontinence is a symptom, not an independent condition.  Bladder control problems can indicate problems that vary from mild to severe and life-threatening.  Therefore, if you are experiencing difficulty with bladder control problems you should consult with your physician to determine the cause.
Most often the cause for incontinence is not life-threatening.  The loss of bladder control can be troublesome though.  There are things that you can do, on your own and at home to improve you bladder health.  Making some changes to your lifestyle can help reduce the effects of bladder control issues or even reduce your chance of developing those issues in the first place.

Fluids:  Friend or Foe?

You may think that reducing your intake of fluids will help you reduce your urine production and thus alleviate your bladder control issues.  Limiting some fluids certainly does help, but there can be some unpleasant consequences.  Reducing your fluid intake too much can lead to the growth of kidney stones.
Drinking 6 – 8 cups of fluids each day is about the optimal level for reducing bladder problems while avoiding creating other problems.  Not just any fluid will do either.   There are a number of liquids that should be greatly limited, if not cut from your daily routine altogether.
Diuretics are substances that increase the production of urine.  Examples of diuretics include caffeine and alcohol.  Limiting your caffeine intake can greatly reduce bladder problems.  If possible, avoid alcohol altogether.  Much more than being just a diuretic, it also relaxes the muscles of the bladder which could lead to a very awkward situation for you, depending on where you are doing your drinking.
Very acidic juices, such as orange juice or grapefruit juice can irritate your bladder as well.  Of course, their fruits from which they are derived can cause just the same problems for your bladder.  If you experience trouble with bladder irritation, systematically cut out juices and fruits so that you can isolate which ones give you bladder problems.

Lifestyle

There are other habits you can adopt that will help you reduce bladder control problems.  Try to get into the habit of urinating regularly.  Don’t try to hold it.  Train yourself to go often and especially to urinate if you know you will not have access to a facility for any period of time.
Getting plenty of exercise can help with bladder issues and contribute to a healthier bladder.  Excessive weight can make bladder issues worse.  Exercise can help shed that weight, plus there is cause to think that aerobic exercise, itself, helps promote bladder health.
Also, don’t be embarrassed to purchase absorbent pads or undergarments.  Purchasing such items is much less embarrassing than the situation caused by needing them and not having them.  Also make sure that you keep up with your personal hygiene to eliminate embarrassing and unpleasant urine smells.

As they get older, bladder control problems impact the lives of many men.  In fact, almost all men are affected by bladder issues at some point in their lives.  As we age, subtle changes in our body can affect our ability to hold or control urination.  This can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem.  For many it significantly diminishes their quality of life.
Bladder problems can cause a number of unpleasant effects like unintentional dripping or leakage.  Bladder issues can also lead to an increase frequency in urination or a heightened sense of urgency in needing to urinate.  Bladder problems can come in different forms and from different causes.  Understanding bladder control problems is the first step in improving the health of your bladder.

Types of Bladder Control Problems

There are several kinds of bladder control problems that can affect men.  Urinary incontinence is a common form of bladder control problem that results in unwanted leakage.  Urine can accidentally be forced out when you sneeze, cough or perform any action that press down on the bladder.  Leakage can also follow a sudden, urgent need to urinate, or can even occur as a constant drip.
The condition referred to as an overactive bladder can also cause significant trouble.  An overactive bladder may force urine through the urethra at inopportune times.  Some symptoms of overactive bladder are the frequent need to urinate, frequent waking at night to urinate, sudden onset of an urgent need to urinate or dripping that follows that sudden urge to urinate.

Causes of Bladder Control Problems

Most bladder control problems are often caused by the enlargement of the prostate.  Bladder problems can also be cause by issues with the nerves that stimulate and control urination.  In the cases of overactive bladder sometimes the cause is not certain.

Prostate Issues

The prostate is the gland below the bladder.  It surrounds the urethra and supplies much of the fluid in ejaculate.  As men age it is very common for this gland to become enlarged, pinching the urethra and blocking the normal flow of urine.
When the  urethra is constricted it can produce symptoms such as a weak stream when urinating, sudden onsets of a feeling of urgently needing to urinate followed by dripping, the frequent need to urinate and waking at night to urinate.  There are several treatments for prostate enlargement.  Your urologist may recommend radiation treatment or surgery to reduce the size of your prostate to allow urine to flow more normally and allow you to regain control of your bladder.

Nerve Issues

Damaged or compressed nerves can also cause problems with urination.  These nerves can confuse signals, send false signals to the bladder telling it to release at the wrong time, or even fail to relay the conscious desire to release urine intentionally.  These types of nerve issues can be caused by injuries to the spinal cord, or by other health conditions such as a stroke or diabetes.  Nerve issues can be difficult to treat, but your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate the problem so that you can better control your bladder.

Bladder control issues affect many men as they get older.  Such issues can also accompany changes in the prostate that occur in almost all men over the age of 50.  When these changes begin to occur it is not uncommon to begin experiencing some difficulties with urination.
Bladder problems can produce significant symptoms such as leakage and increased frequency or urgency in urination.  At the least this problem are inconvenient, but at times they can be a source of significant embarrassment.  However, if you are experiencing bladder control problems you aren’t helpless to do anything about it.

What Can I Do?

First talk to your doctor, since bladder control problems can sometimes by a sign of a more significant problem, such as prostate cancer.  In most instances bladder control problems are treatable.  There are also things you can do on your own to help alleviate the discomfort of bladder control problems and even to improve your bladder function.

Changing Habits

Simply changing some of your daily habits can significantly improve your bladder health and function.  There are also a number of diet changes that can have a big impact on your bladder.  Making a conscious decision to improve you bladder help is the first step to a healthier, stronger bladder.

Diet

There are a number of foods and liquids that are known to irritate the bladder.   Drinks such as coffee, teas, sodas and even some cough medicines contain caffeine which is a diuretic (a substance that increases urine production).  Alcohol is also a diuretic and a depressent; not only does it increase urine production, it also makes it harder to control the release of it.
Some people may find that other foods and beverage give them bladder trouble as well.  Very acidic foods and juices like grapefruits and other citruses, or tomatoes can affect the bladder.  Spicy foods can also contribute to difficulties with the bladder, as can milk products like ice cream, cheese or yogurt.
If you find that you are experiencing a lot of bladder irritation, try phasing these foods and beverages out of your diet for one or two weeks.  If your bladder problems seem to lessen, slowly add things back into your diet, one every couple of days.  This will help you identify the problem foods and beverages and improve your bladder health.  Remember that caffeine and alcohol almost always contribute to bladder problems and should be limited as much as possible.

Medical Means

Don’t think that you have to confront your bladder problems alone.  Talk to your doctor candidly about what is going on with your bladder.  If your doctor thinks that your bladder issues are nerve related rather than a prostate issue then he or she may want to prescribe medication to help reduce the improper nerve signals to your bladder.  There are also other medication that can help to relax the bladder and ever reduce the size of the prostate, improving your bladder health.  Your doctor may even want to explore surgical options to help with your bladder problems.

As they get older, bladder control problems impact the lives of many men. In fact, almost all men are affected by bladder issues at some point in their lives. As we age, subtle changes in our body can affect our ability to hold or control urination. This can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem. For many it significantly diminishes their quality of life.

Bladder problems can cause a number of unpleasant effects like unintentional dripping or leakage. Bladder issues can also lead to an increase frequency in urination or a heightened sense of urgency in needing to urinate. Bladder problems can come in different forms and from different causes. Understanding bladder control problems is the first step in improving the health of your bladder.

Types of Bladder Control Problems

There are several kinds of bladder control problems that can affect men. Urinary incontinence is a common form of bladder control problem that results in unwanted leakage. Urine can accidentally be forced out when you sneeze, cough or perform any action that press down on the bladder. Leakage can also follow a sudden, urgent need to urinate, or can even occur as a constant drip.
The condition referred to as an overactive bladder can also cause significant trouble. An overactive bladder may force urine through the urethra at inopportune times. Some symptoms of overactive bladder are the frequent need to urinate, frequent waking at night to urinate, sudden onset of an urgent need to urinate or dripping that follows that sudden urge to urinate.

Causes of Bladder Control Problems

Most bladder control problems are often caused by the enlargement of the prostate. Bladder problems can also be cause by issues with the nerves that stimulate and control urination. In the cases of overactive bladder sometimes the cause is not certain.

Prostate Issues

The prostate is the gland below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra and supplies much of the fluid in ejaculate. As men age it is very common for this gland to become enlarged, pinching the urethra and blocking the normal flow of urine.

When the urethra is constricted it can produce symptoms such as a weak stream when urinating, sudden onsets of a feeling of urgently needing to urinate followed by dripping, the frequent need to urinate and waking at night to urinate. There are several treatments for prostate enlargement. Your urologist may recommend radiation treatment or surgery to reduce the size of your prostate to allow urine to flow more normally and allow you to regain control of your bladder.

Nerve Issues

Damaged or compressed nerves can also cause problems with urination. These nerves can confuse signals, send false signals to the bladder telling it to release at the wrong time, or even fail to relay the conscious desire to release urine intentionally. These types of nerve issues can be caused by injuries to the spinal cord, or by other health conditions such as a stroke or diabetes. Nerve issues can be difficult to treat, but your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate the problem so that you can better control your bladder.