Can Diet and Exercise Help with Urinary Incontinence?

Yes, diet and exercise can play a big role in helping you deal with urinary incontinence. But before we get into that, let’s understand what urinary incontinence is and how big of a problem it is for people, especially women.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition where you can’t control when you pee. This might sound simple, but it’s a huge problem for millions of people. It can ruin your day, make you anxious about going out, and even cost you a lot of money in healthcare. In fact, over 13 million women in the United States are grappling with this issue.

The Connection to Obesity

Research has shown that being overweight or obese makes you more likely to have problems with incontinence. This makes sense, right? Extra weight can put pressure on your bladder and other areas that help control pee.

The Study: What Happened?

Researchers set up a big study to see if diet and exercise could help overweight women deal with incontinence. They got 338 women and split them into two groups. One group got a meal plan and exercise routine to help them lose weight. The other group got some basic info about healthy living but no special diet or exercise plan.

Everybody in the study kept a diary about how many times they went to the bathroom, and how many “accidents” they had. They tracked this for 6 months.

The Results Are In, and They’re Promising!

The group that focused on diet and exercise had fewer “accidents” than the other group. That’s great news because it means if you’re dealing with incontinence, changing your lifestyle could be part of the solution.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence and you’re overweight, there’s a good chance that losing weight can help. Now, you might be thinking, “Losing weight is hard!” And you’re right; it’s not easy. But the study showed that it’s doable. The women in the study followed a balanced diet, and they started exercising more. They didn’t do anything too extreme or crazy, and it made a difference.

Where Do You Start?

If you want to try this, your first step should be to talk to a doctor. They can help you figure out if diet and exercise are good options for you. They might also check if there are other medical reasons for your incontinence.

Once you get the OK, you can start small. You don’t have to go on a super strict diet right away or start running marathons. Small changes can add up. Try cutting out sugary drinks or walking for 30 minutes a day, then build up from there.

Keeping Track

One thing that helped in the study was keeping a diary. You might think this is a pain, but it’s really helpful. Write down what you eat, how much you exercise, and how often you’re going to the bathroom or having “accidents.” This will help you see patterns and understand how your changes are helping (or not).

The Other Benefits

Let’s not forget that losing weight and exercising more are good for you in other ways too. They can help you avoid a bunch of other health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and more. So, not only could you control your incontinence, but you could also become healthier overall.

But What If You’re Not Overweight?

You might be thinking, “What if I’m not overweight but still have incontinence?” Well, diet and exercise might still help. The muscles that control pee are like any other muscles; they get stronger when you exercise them. So, physical activity could help anyone dealing with incontinence, not just those who are overweight.

Final Thoughts

Urinary incontinence is a difficult problem that many people, especially women, face. This study showed that diet and exercise could be a simple yet effective way to improve this condition. It won’t solve the problem overnight, but it’s a step in the right direction. If you’re dealing with this, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice, and consider making these lifestyle changes. You have a lot to gain and little to lose—except maybe those pesky “accidents.”

 

FAQ: Understanding Urinary Incontinence and Weight Loss Study Through the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise (PRIDE)

What does the study aim to do?

The study, known as the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise (PRIDE), aims to find out if weight loss can help reduce the frequency of urinary incontinence episodes in overweight and obese women.

Who participated in the study?

The study recruited 338 women between 2004 and 2006 in Providence, Rhode Island, and Birmingham, Alabama. The women were at least 30 years old, had a BMI between 25 and 50, and reported 10 or more incontinence episodes over a week. They also had to be able to walk unassisted and agree not to start new treatments for incontinence or weight loss during the study.

What methods were used in the study?

Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one group underwent a 6-month intensive weight loss program, while the other (control group) attended four educational sessions about weight loss, physical activity, and healthy eating.

Were there any restrictions on who could participate?

Yes, the study excluded women who had medical therapy for incontinence or weight loss in the past month, those with current or frequent urinary tract infections, a history of neurologic or functional origin incontinence, or uncontrolled health conditions like hypertension.

What did the weight loss program include?

The weight loss program aimed for a 7-9% reduction in initial body weight over six months. It included a reduced-calorie diet and encouraged physical activity like brisk walking. Behavioral skills were also emphasized.

What were the primary and secondary outcomes?

The main goal was to measure the change in the number of incontinence episodes after 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in types of incontinence (stress or urge) and participant satisfaction with the treatment.

How were these outcomes measured?

Participants kept a 7-day diary to record each void and incontinence episode. The type of incontinence was also noted (stress, urge, or other). Some participants also did a pad test to measure involuntary urine loss over 24 hours.

What is the importance of this study?

Understanding the link between weight loss and incontinence could offer a non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical way to improve the lives of millions of women, while also cutting down on healthcare costs.

Were any companies involved in the study?

Slim-Fast, a meal-replacement product, was donated by Unilever for the study, but the company had no role in the study design, data collection, or data analysis.

Is the study data reliable?

The study was designed to be robust and was approved by an institutional review board. Also, experts at the University of California, San Francisco, vouched for the data’s completeness and accuracy.

 

Reference:

Weight Loss to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Overweight and Obese Women | NEJM