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Incontinence - urinary, in women - Management
What lifestyle advice should I give to a woman with stress urinary incontinence or urgency incontinence?
- Advise, and give information on, weight loss if the woman has a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater (see the CKS topic on Obesity).
- Advise the woman to avoid drinking either excessive amounts, or small amounts, of fluid each day. The recommended daily intake is six to eight glasses of water (or other fluid).
- Although there is no evidence that modification of other behaviours improves incontinence symptoms, consider providing advice on regulating bowel habit, stopping smoking, or increasing physical exercise. Improving mobility may be helpful to disabled elderly women.
In depth
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