Surviving Allergy Season With Incontinence
As spring approaches, days are lasting longer, the weather is warmer and plants are coming into bloom. Unfortunately, hay fever is also on the way with itchy, watery eyes, headaches, and nasal congestion. This can be a real problem for people with stress incontinence, who leak urine when they sneeze or cough. Keep reading for some tips for dealing with seasonal allergies so you can make the most of springtime weather.
Reduce your exposure to pollen
Try to stay indoors during the mornings as pollen counts are highest during this time. However, drafty windows aren’t very good at keeping mold and pollen outside. Window insulation kits and fresh weatherstripping will help keep you comfortable and even reduce your energy bills! Using an air conditioner with a HEPA filter is the next step to improve air quality. Make sure to clean the vents and filters at least once a year to help keep dust and debris from being re-circulated back into your home. Pollen counts can also let you know when to stay indoors all day and when it is safer to venture outside. Convenient apps can help you plan accordingly:
When you do leave the house, recirculate the air in your car so pollen is not vented into the vehicle. Remember to admire springtime flowers and thoroughly wash your hands afterward. At the end of the day, take a shower to wash away allergens from your skin and make sleeping more comfortable.
Keep your bladder happy
Seasonal allergies can make your bladder more sensitive and less able to hold onto urine, so this is not the time to eat foods that will irritate it further. Skip the strong spices, citrus fruits, and highly processed foods and opt for berries, pears, whole grains, and yogurt with probiotics instead. The same goes for beverages. That morning cup of coffee can help you prepare for a busy day but it can also increase your risk of incontinence afterward. Better to stick with plenty of water to keep your urine a clear, pale yellow. Your bladder has a harder time holding onto dark, concentrated urine and any leakage will have a stronger odor.
Exercises
Weak pelvic floor muscles make it more likely that your bladder will leak urine when you cough or sneeze. Pilates exercises can strengthen your abdominal, back and pelvic muscles to give you more control over urination. Kegel exercises can also help by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, especially if they were weakened by pregnancy and childbirth. They are done by pretending that you have to urinate and then holding it. Kegel exercises can be done at any time when you are sitting or lying down. Then when you get the first hint of an oncoming sneeze, you can lift and squeeze your pelvic floor muscles to help prevent leaks.
Final thoughts
If the tips listed above aren’t enough to control incontinence during allergy season, protective underwear and pads might be a good idea. For chronic incontinence problems, a SaniSnooze™ mattress cover is an ideal solution for children and adults of all ages. It completely protects the mattress to ensure maximum comfort and therapeutic sleep. SaniSnooze™ is the most convenient, cost-effective solution for incontinence, allowing users and caregivers to rest easily. Additional incontinence supplies are also available, including protective underwear and pads.
**The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are having a severe and sudden change in physical or mental health, please call 911, contact a local emergency facility or consult with your doctor. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider, and never disregard the advice given because of information you have received from our website.**
Our mission at SaniSnooze™ is to get you back to sleep faster. SaniSnooze™ will keep your mattress core clean and dry all night long.