Herbs for overactive bladder

Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder is a condition when you feel sudden urge to pass the urine. The urge is so strong that it often leads to incontinence. Besides these symptoms, you may also feel the need to pass urine more often than usual. Sometimes you may go to the toilet two or more times during the night. The causes of overactive bladder may include urinary tract infection, inflammation of the tissues of the urinary tract, stones in the bladder or enlarged prostate. Overactive bladder may also be a consequence of excessive intake of fluids, especially coffee and alcohol.

Herbs

There are a lot of herbs which can help you with overactive bladder problems. One such herb is Alpinia oxyphylla which is very useful in controlling the bladder function. This herb has also anti-inflammatory properties. Another useful herb is Cornus officinalis. This herb contains minerals and nutrients which will help you with incontinence and extreme urge to urinate. It is also recommended for heavy menstruation. Schisandra chinensis is also an excellent herb, rich in minerals, vitamins and essential oils, which will help you gain control over the overactive bladder. Panax ginseng is a herb which has many health benefits including problems with urination. All these herbs have been in use for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. Other useful herbs are Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnate.

Tips

In order to ease the symptoms of overactive bladder you can try some bladder training. When you feel the urge to urinate, hold up for 5 or 10 minutes before you go to the toilet. Gradually increase the time of holdups until the urge to pass urine normalizes. Another tip which can be useful is to try urinating again after emptying your bladder. When you pass urine, wait a couple of minutes and go to the toilet again to eliminate some more urine. You can also try to make a schedule when to go to the toilet, mo matter whether you feel the urge or not. In some cases exercises for pelvic floor muscles may help you to control your bladder.

Prevention

The best prevention of overactive bladder is a healthy diet rich in fibers, regular exercises and reduced consumption of alcohol and coffee. Food which is rich in fiber includes apples, bananas, blueberries, peaches, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflowers, bran cereals, rice, almonds, beans, and peanuts. You should also keep you weight normal because excess weight puts additional pressure on the bladder.