Incontinence is more common when you have a cold or flu. These tips for urinary incontinence during flu season can help.
If you or a loved one suffers from incontinence, you know that it can happen at any time of the day or night. While a number of lifestyle strategies and medications can be helpful in managing incontinence, there are also a number of factors that can lead to increased incontinence that you should be aware of. Think colds and flu! Read on for our tips on how to manage urinary incontinence during flu season.
Why is there a link between colds and incontinence?
When we have a cold, it is normal to sneeze and cough as a result of the infection. This can put direct pressure on the bladder due to the increased pressure on the abdomen, leading to further urine leakage and a lack of control when urinating or having a bowel movement.
Congestion and a runny nose can create a chicken and egg situation where the harder it is to breathe, the more we are likely to cough or sneeze, causing that constant pressure on the abdomen. However, if you are taking over-the-counter cold medications like decongestants, you may also experience side effects like having to urinate more often, creating parallel problems with incontinence.
In addition to the increase in pressure, infections and inflammation can also lead to the development of incontinence. It is a lesser known fact that the urinary tract and the bladder itself are at risk of becoming infected during a cold. Just like any other part of our body that becomes infected, this can disrupt the regular processes, resulting in increased urgency, frequency of incontinence episodes and urine leakage.
Common causes of incontinence incidents
Incontinence can be caused by a wide range of factors. This can make it difficult to find an approach that suits your individual incontinence needs, as what works well for one person may not be suitable for another. However, by understanding what factors may be leading to an increase in incontinence, you can find the tools and resources you need to minimize the impact on your daily activities.
Specific foods and drinks:
Common incontinence triggers are likely already in your refrigerator and pantry. Spicy foods, acidic ingredients, and caffeine are likely culprits for increased incontinence. These foods and beverages can irritate both the bladder and urinary tract, increasing the urgency and frequency of urination or bowel movements.3 To relieve the pressure on your bladder, it’s best to limit these foods and beverages as much as possible.
If you have a cold and are experiencing increased incontinence, pay attention to the food and drink you consume. Knowing what triggers you can help relieve your incontinence while you rest and recover.
Stress:
Being unwell can be stressful in itself. Unfortunately, this heightened state can lead to worsening incontinence symptoms, so it is important to minimize your stress when trying to get rid of a cold.
Stress can cause the muscles in the pelvic area to tighten, making it harder for them to hold urine in the bladder. When our bodies are stressed, they release a mixture of hormones, including adrenaline, which causes the muscles to tighten. The result can be an increased urgency and frequency of urination, as well as more difficulty resisting the urge to urinate.
Cold and flu medications:
We often reach for cold and flu medications when we realize we have caught a cold. While these medications can help reduce the intensity of cold and flu symptoms (and support your body as it works to get rid of the infection), a side effect can be increased incontinence.
Decongestants and antihistamines are two of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications for colds and flu. Unfortunately, they can cause you to urinate more, often putting more pressure on your bladder while it’s fighting an infection.
Some medications can also cause dry mouth, which can lead to dehydration. Urine becomes more concentrated when the body is dehydrated, further irritating the bladder.
Your pharmacist or GP will advise you on which cold and flu medicines are best for you to use to help combat your cold symptoms, whilst also ensuring that you have as few side effects as possible that could lead to further incontinence problems. If you are taking other medicines that are associated with incontinence or an underlying condition, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional before taking any new medicines.
How do you deal with incontinence when you are ill?
Dealing with incontinence while also having a cold can be quite a challenge as multiple symptoms demand your attention. You already have little energy and now your body is asking for more energy!
By implementing a few simple strategies, you can support your body's health and well-being as it fights the infection and moves toward recovery.
These strategies include:
- Stay hydrated. Water is one of the best and easiest remedies to fight a cold. Fluids help flush the urinary tract and reduce inflammation.
- Focus on your diet. Warming, healing meals are essential to managing a cold and minimizing incontinence. Stay away from irritating foods and drinks, such as spicy or acidic foods and caffeine, as these are likely to make your incontinence worse.
- Choose your medications carefully. Your doctor will advise you on which medications will help relax your bladder muscles (making it easier to hold urine) and at the same time fight the infection of the cold.
- Practice your Kegels. Pelvic floor exercises can help build your pelvic floor strength in preparation for an illness or infection. You can do these exercises at any time and in any place because they are so discreet, so incorporating them into your regular exercise routine can help prepare you for your next cold or flu infection.
These strategies can also be very helpful if you are looking for ways to manage incontinence on a daily basis, with or without a cold. By combining a wide range of lifestyle choices and preventive measures, you may be able to reduce the frequency or intensity of incontinence episodes.
