Overnight incontinence among adults is more common than people think. So, if you experience bedwetting at night, you shouldn’t be ashamed.
There are many reasons behind this night-time occurrence. However, if you’ve been wetting your bed at night quite frequently, you should consult your doctor. It’s best to know what causes the problem.
In the meantime, below are seven tips that can help you with your overnight incontinence leaks.
- Limit Fluid Intake At Night
One of the most common reasons people get up at night to pee is because they drink too much fluid before sleeping. Naturally, if you’ve gulped down several glasses of water or alcohol a few hours before you sleep, there’s a high chance that you’ll wet the bed even if you’re not suffering from any medical problem.
To help prevent incontinence leaks at night, be sure to regulate your fluid intake after 6 p.m.
- Avoid Caffeine And Other Bladder Irritating Stuff
Many people eat and drink things that can cause an overactive bladder, leading to nocturia or what’s commonly known as night-time incontinence. If you’re already suffering from an overactive bladder, you should stay away from fluids and food that increase urine production and intensify your urge to pee.
Caffeine is the usual culprit, which you find in coffee and tea. Other bladder irritants are alcohol, carbonated drinks, citrus juices, chocolate, and tomato-based and spicy foods.
- Protect Yourself With Absorbent Products
People suffering from bedwetting due to incontinence should consider using products to help them feel dry and protected from wetness. Hence, try wearing absorbent pads for incontinence.
Use one that fits you well and is gender appropriate so you can effectively prevent leaks even if you move a lot when you sleep. For more peace of mind, use heavy-duty underpads too so that you won’t wet your bed sheets and mattress.
- Consider Botox and Other Medications
Once you’ve learned the underlying reason for your night-time incontinence, you can always ask your doctor for medication to prevent bedwetting. Your doctor might prescribe medicines to relax an overactive bladder.
A diuretic taken in the afternoon helps lessen fluid retention. Some studies have also shown that Botox can reduce incontinence, especially in women.
- Raise Your Legs
As people age, their bodies tend to retain more fluids because of different conditions like kidney problems and coronary heart disease. If you have problems with incontinence at night because of fluid retention, you should consider raising your legs for a few minutes or even hours in the afternoon. After sitting for long periods during the day, fluids can pool in your body’s lower extremities.
Sitting in your favorite chair with your leg up may not be enough to promote good blood circulation. To improve circulation and increase your body’s fluid processing during the day rather than at night, you should lie down on your sofa, recliner, or bed, and then prop your feet and legs on pillows. For adequate blood circulation, it would be best to raise your feet higher than your heart while lying down.
Using compression socks or stockings can help with your circulatory problems. But consult a doctor before using them because they may not be appropriate if you’re suffering from chronic or metabolic illnesses, like diabetes.
- Ensure A Clear Path To The Toilet
Many people wake up at night when they feel the urge to urinate. But some don’t reach the toilet in time to prevent leakage or bedwetting due to health conditions like arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, or osteoporosis. So, if your elderly parents are staying with you, it would help to make it easier for them to go to the toilet unobstructed.
Here are some of the things that you can do:
- Keep a nightlight on so the way to the bathroom will be easier to see.
- Use easy-to-remove undergarments or clothes to make it less complicated to urinate.
- Get rid of all impediments or obstacles on the way to the toilet to prevent tripping or bumping into objects.
- If walking or getting up is an issue, you may consider making a bedside commode or urinal available.
- Use An Alarm
Bedwetting alarms are effective for kids and adults alike. This discreet device produces intermittent beeping sounds for 30 seconds when it detects moisture. The warning helps prevent soggy underwear and wet bedsheets because the sound will wake the kid or the adult before completely emptying their bladders. Thus, they’ll have time to stand up, walk to the bathroom, and continue their business.
Conclusion
When you experience overnight incontinence, don’t be too hard on yourself, especially since it’s not a rare problem. Many adults worldwide suffer from it.
The good news is that there are many solutions to this minor inconvenience. If you remember to follow the tips above, your overnight incontinence leaks may very well be a thing of the past.