Added advice

To help customers maintain a healthy bladder function, you can suggest the following:

• Drink plenty of fluid – about two litres of water a day. Some people limit their fluid intake, thinking it will help their symptoms. However, this only makes urine more concentrated, which can irritate the bladder
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol – caffeine can irritate the bladder, while alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of urine the body produces
• Eat a healthy diet – adequate fibre intake, from fruit, vegetables, cereals and grains, helps to reduce the risk of constipation, which can weaken the pelvic floor muscles
• Avoid spicy and acidic foods, which can irritate the bladder
• Maintain a healthy weight – excess body fat can put pressure on the bladder and lead to stress incontinence
• Exercise appropriately – some high impact, strenuous forms of exercise, such as jogging and weight training, may increase the risk of stress incontinence. Stretching and strengthening exercises that help to tone core muscles (e.g. Pilates, yoga) may be a better choice
• Quit smoking – a smoker’s cough can put a strain on the pelvic floor muscles.