Benefits of Weight Lose on Your Bladder

Excess weight can have adverse effects on our health. It increases our risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and certain types of cancer. But did you know that extra weight can also have a negative effect on your bladder health as well? According to the National Institutes of Health, being overweight puts pressure on the bladder and nearby muscles, contributing to bladder leakage. Losing excess weight—even just a few pounds—can help.In a recent study, overweight and obese women with bladder leakage problems were assigned to a three-month weight-reduction program. At the end of three months, bladder leakage issues in all the women had significantly decreased. These results suggest that a weight loss of just 5 to 10 percent can have a very positive effect on your bladder function. If you’re overweight, talk with your doctor about creating a diet and exercise program that’s safe and effective for your individual goals. In addition, the following tips may help boost your weight-loss efforts and help you gain bladder control.Eat breakfast. Not eating the first meal of the day can send your body into "starvation mode," encouraging it to hoard calories, rather than burn them. In fact, several studies have shown that women who eat breakfast are generally slimmer than those who don't. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast every morning.Munch on small snacks throughout the day. Extending the time between meals or skipping them altogether can slow down your metabolism. Instead, try eating something every three to four hours. Rather than consuming one or two large meals, opt for six small meals throughout the day. Stay active. Being more active, both through scheduled exercise and in day-to-day routines, is essential to living well. An active lifestyle prevents unhealthy weight gain, which improves your bladder leakage. Depend® products come in a variety of styles and protection levels to make staying active even easier. Get plenty of rest. Women who don't get their z’s are more prone to weight gain. Sleep regenerates lean muscle tissue and boosts metabolism, while a lack of sleep slows the rate at which your body burns calories. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Losing just a few extra pounds can have a profound impact on your overall health as well as your bladder health. Challenge yourself to drop the weight. Your body—and bladder—will thank you!