Does Alcohol Cause Incontinence?

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Alcohol in itself doesn’t cause incontinence, unless you regularly consume large amounts. But even if you’re just an occasional drinker, alcohol still affects incontinence in these ways:

1) It stimulates a complex biochemical process that causes kidneys to produce more urine. As a result, you might feel like you have to pee more often when drinking.

2) Alcohol also dehydrates the body, which is one of the reasons we get hangovers. It helps to drink water to deal with the hangover, and naturally, when you drink more water, your bladder starts working overtime.

What to do?

If your symptoms are mild, you can simply cut down on the amount of alcohol you consume. Each person is different, with a unique personal and medical history, predispositions, and even the body size all of which can affect your “safe” dose. Listen to your body and how it reacts, regardless of the “recommended” guidelines.

If your symptoms are extreme, avoid drinking alcohol until the underlying condition is dealt with (explore the treatment options). Incontinence can be a lot more than a nuisance, so get it checked out.

Control Accidental Peeing When you Run, Laugh or Cough

Glow magazine interviewed Dr. Elterman about female incontinence:

Dr. Dean Elterman, a urologist with the University Health Network in Toronto, says that, although multiple pregnancies may increase the risk of incontinence, vigorous activities such as horseback riding or Zumba can cause an “accident” whether you’re a mom or not. Treatments include pads, surgery and pelvic physiotherapy like Kegel exercises. You can also help prevent leaks by losing weight (which reduced pressure on your bladder) and quitting smoking (which means less chronic coughing). Elterman also recomments Poise Impressa, which is inserted like a tampon but has soft silicone prongs to support the urethra and reduce leaks.

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