Traveling With Urinary Incontinence- 5 Tips To Follow

A fast-paced lifestyle is about living on the edge and handling work pressure daily. Such a stressful environment calls for frequent breaks to recharge your body. It could be anything, ranging from a quick drive to your favorite cafe or a long vacation with loved ones. However, an overactive bladder may hinder your travel goals and make the journey difficult. That’s where the role of planning and prior preparations creeps in to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel. Here are the top ways you can explore your dream destination without worrying about incontinence issues.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Before diving into the ways to manage urinary incontinence during travel, you might want to learn more about incontinence issues. Urinary incontinence is a medical condition in which the person may not be able to hold or find it difficult to control the urge to urinate. It belongs to several categories according to the type of incontinence and severity. Moreover, people experiencing incontinence may experience urge issues and urinary troubles during and after the journey. You need to plan your journey, pack the essentials, and devise your mode of travel beforehand for a convenient experience.

Ways To Deal With Travel Incontinence

Most people with incontinence issues may experience leakage or the urge to urinate often during travel. It is due to the release of some hormones that cause excitement during the voyage. However, you can deal with such issues through proper planning, dietary control, and bladder training. Read on to learn more about the efficient ways that aid in urge incontinence.

1.    Prepare & Dress Up

Instead of getting disappointed due to incontinence and league during travel, you must prepare well in advance. For this purpose, you must plan and dress up to avoid leakage and incontinence. Try wearing the Prevail adult diaper to soak in mild to moderate leakage. Also, you can make the most of other incontinence gear like pads, briefs, underwear, and related products. Another life-saving tip is to carry an extra pair of clothing for the worst possible scenario. Wear your clothes according to the incontinence issues to avoid sudden urges and their outcomes.

2.    Devise The Route Beforehand

If you’re about to embark on a road trip, you must plan the itinerary and spot the resting points. While preparing the itinerary, it’s always better to include rest areas every 2 to 4 hours on the way. That way, you are less likely to strain your bladder and experience urinary incontinence during the journey. If you air travel, try opting for an aisle seat to facilitate movement. Not only will it allow more leg space and cause lesser bladder strain, but it also aids in visiting the loo between journeys.

With proper planning and execution, you can sail through the journey like a pro. Always have a look at the airport to spot the washrooms and resting lounges for a better experience.

3.    Cut Down Liquid Intake A Bit

Another life-saving tip to avoid urinary urges and stress is reducing your liquid intake before the journey. Try to limit your fluid intake at least 2 hours before your flight or hitting the road. Further, you should refrain from drinking fluids throughout the journey. You are less likely to experience urinary urges with minimal fluid intake. Also, it facilitates a smooth trip and shortens the delays due to washroom trips during the journey. Cutting down the liquid intake is even more crucial if you’re about to catch a flight. It is due to the changes in cabin pressure that affect your bladder activity.

4.    Practice Bladder Training

Did you know that bladder training can be a great asset in improving your urethral sphincter activity? You must practice bladder training at least 2-3 weeks before your travel plans. Regular training helps strengthen the pelvic musculature and can reduce incontinence severity. Also, you may consider timed voiding to train your bladder to empty at a specific time of the day. Other practices that help regulate bladder activity are kegel exercises and the “freeze and squeeze” technique. Get moving and train your bladder to

5.    Stay Away From Possible Triggers

Several factors may trigger your bladder and contribute to leakage. Sit back and analyze the triggers to avoid them during your travel. Moreover, many foodstuffs like carbonated beverages and coffee may enhance bladder activity. Try avoiding the consumption of bladder-stimulating foods, especially while traveling. You should limit the consumption of foods containing high sugar content as well.

It is due to the potential diuretic effects of foods that stimulate the urinary bladder. Rethink before snacking during the journey for a hassle-free and smooth trip. Make it a point to list the foods appropriate for incontinence and keep them in your snack bag.

Final Words

Urinary incontinence refers to the inability to control the urge to urinate. It occurs due to certain pathological conditions like an overactive bladder or urinary tract infection. In such cases, you may need help to travel and satiate the wanderlust within. However, it’s possible to travel and take an exploration break with proper planning. You must pack the stuff according to your clothing needs and wear appropriate incontinence gear. Also, try to reduce your intake of caffeine, sugary drinks, and carbonated beverages at least a day before traveling. Such factors play an essential role in ensuring smooth and hassle-free travel.