GYNECOLOGY:

 exercise and lifestyle changes

 Exercise and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence.   Types of exercise and lifestyle changes that may help:

• Pelvic floor muscle exercises (also known as Kegel exercises). These exercises strengthen the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles — the muscles that help control urination and are especially effective for stress incontinence or urge incontinence. A doctor may recommend that the patient do these exercises frequently to treat the incontinence.

• Computer-assisted biofeedback. This is an enhanced pelvic floor exercise.

• Bladder training. A doctor may recommend bladder training — alone or in combination with other therapies — to control urge and other types of incontinence. Bladder training involves learning to delay urination after getting the urge to go.

• Scheduled toilet trips. This means timed urination — going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go. Following this technique, the patient will go to the toilet on a routine, planned basis — usually every two to four hours.

• Fluid and diet management. In some cases, simply modifying daily habits can help in regaining bladder control. The patient may need to cut back on or avoid food or fluid that trigger incontinence. For some people, reducing liquid consumption before bedtime is all that's needed. Losing weight also may eliminate the problem.