What lifestyle modifications should I advise to patients experiencing symptoms of overactive bladder?

Lifestyle modifications for patients with symptoms of overactive bladder include:

• Recommend a trial of caffeine reduction, as caffeine can exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Advise modification of fluid intake: increase if fluid intake is too low or decrease if it is too high to help manage symptoms.
• Encourage weight loss for patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, as weight reduction can improve symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Advise on maintaining a balanced diet following the Eatwell Guide to improve stool consistency, which can indirectly benefit bladder symptoms.
• Encourage regular physical activity and supervised pelvic floor muscle training, which may help improve symptoms.
• Offer bladder training lasting a minimum of 6 weeks as a first-line behavioural therapy to improve urgency and frequency symptoms.

These lifestyle changes should be supported with motivation and regular encouragement, as benefits may take weeks or months to become apparent.

Do not delay other management options while awaiting weight loss.

Do not recommend complementary therapies or routine use of electrical stimulation for overactive bladder.

Discuss these lifestyle modifications as part of a holistic management plan for overactive bladder symptoms.

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