There are a variety of things you can do to prevent problems with urinary incontinence. The easiest way to prevent urinary incontinence and many other health problems is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, sleep 8 to 10 hours per night, and take time to relax and reduce stress. Reducing consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages can also be helpful; Alcohol and caffeine work as diuretics and thus increase urination frequency. Make sure to drink 6 to 8 cups of water a day, but avoid over hydration unless you are exercising or are in a warm climate. 

 

If the cause of your urinary incontinence is child bearing or advanced age, Kegel exercises can be effective at increasing bladder control by strengthening pelvic muscles. After childbirth, women sometimes experience vaginal prolapse, a condition in which the pelvic muscles become very weak and collapse. Vaginal prolapse can lead to urinary incontinence, but may be prevented or treated with Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are done by alternately contracting and relaxing the pelvic diaphragm muscles. Weak pelvic diaphragm muscles can increase the occurrence of urinary and bowel incontinence in men and women alike, therefore, strengthening these muscles may help increase bladder control and the ease of bowel movements. Constipation is a common cause of urinary incontinence; strengthening all pelvic muscles with Kegel exercises may relieve bowel discomfort and consequently aid in reducing urinary incontinence. Kegel exercises also work to relieve the swelling due to prostatitis or an enlarged prostate, both of which may be contributors to urinary incontinence in men. 

 

Urinary incontinence may be caused by a variety of factors and is not always due to weak pelvic muscles or an overactive bladder. Certain sedative medications may lead to increased urination frequency by relaxing the bladder or pelvic muscles. Incontinence may also be due to a urinary tract infection which can be easily treated with antibiotics. Whether or not you suspect the cause of your urinary incontinence to be benign, it is always best to have a medical professional determine the cause and appropriate course of treatment.