By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

April 15, 2013

• Do you have this EMBARRASSING problem?
• New treatment comes with confusion and memory loss…
• Or try this instead…

There are some things that are too uncomfortable to talk about… even to your doctor. And overactive bladder is one of them. Many of my patients find it a very awkward problem to discuss. But it’s an even more embarrassing problem to live with.

If you have this condition you might “leak” when you cough or sneeze. You may have to excuse yourself from meals, meetings and other events several times in the course of an hour to hit the can. And when the urgency strikes, it can be difficult to hold it in until you get the chance to relieve yourself.

While you may feel like you’re the odd one out, you’re certainly not alone. It’s estimated that around 33 million men and women in the U.S. have bladder issues. That’s 1 out of 7 adults.

And let’s face it. Spending your life using liners, pads and adult diapers isn’t anyone’s idea of fun.

So you might have been silently relieved when the new over-the-counter (OTC) drug for overactive bladder was released in January. It’s called Oxytrol for Women.

Today, let’s look at the research surrounding this drug…

You’ll notice the name of Oxytrol very specifically says “for women.” It turns out that during trials, men weren’t quite sure when the drug was appropriate for use. So the FDA approved release of the OTC version for women only.

In other words, if you’re a man, you are supposed to obtain a prescription for it.

But it doesn’t appear men were the only ones who don’t know when to take the drug.

In one study, out of 1,069 people who decided to purchase the drug, 839 of them had conditions that made them ineligible for use according to the label. That’s a whopping 78.5% of folks who bought the drug when they shouldn’t have.

Now, there are some things that self-diagnosis works well for. For example, most women can recognize a yeast infection immediately. And most of them are glad they don’t have to run to the doc and ask for a prescription of Monistat (Miconazole nitrate) anymore.

But I’m not entirely sure overactive bladder falls into the self-diagnosis category. A weak urethra or pelvic muscles may be part of the problem.

But there are many things that can confuse the issue.

An enlarged prostate or recurring urinary tract infection can set you up for bladder control issues. Obesity, frequent constipation, dementia, stroke, MS, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome can all trigger overactive bladder.

And there’s one more thing to consider here. For some reason or another, people seem to think over-the-counter medications don’t come with side effects.

But they do.

Oxytrol comes with dry mouth, constipation, headaches, blurred vision and sleep problems. And there’s one more side effect that accompanies the use of this product: Confusion and memory loss!

You see, these drugs block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This is the chemical messenger that fuels your memory and cognitive function. But over time people who use drugs like Oxytrol tend to have reduced cognitive function.

Even worse, they have a much higher rate of death.

When you combine all of this information, you can see why I would want to find a more natural way to solve your issues.

And there are much healthier ways to gain control over your bladder…

Before I talk about anything else, there is one thing I want to mention. It’s an often-missed cause of overactive bladder: Gluten sensitivity.

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and any foods made with these grains. You’ll find glutens in baked goods (like bread and cereal,) gravies, pasta, soups and salad dressings.

Eliminating these trigger foods from your diet is the first thing you can do to gain the upper hand over your bladder. The easiest way to do that is sticking with products labeled “gluten-free.”

But you don’t have to give up grains altogether. Some gluten-free grains you can check out include amaranth, buckwheat, millet and quinoa.

Once you’ve mastered your gluten intake, here are some nutrients that can also improve your bladder health…

Cranberry extract. It’s not unusual to confuse urinary tract infections with an overactive bladder. And cranberry is one of the best things you can do to maintain urinary tract health. Don’t buy processed and sugary cranberry drinks from the grocery store. They won’t help. Instead, take 400 mg of standardized cranberry extract twice a day.

Antioxidants. To combat the oxidative stress that can irritate the nerves surrounding the bladder, take a combination of antioxidants. Try 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 800 IU of vitamin E, and 100 mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily.

Magnesium. Have your doctor check your red blood cell magnesium (RBC magnesium). If it’s not in the center of the reference range begin supplementation with at least 150 to 250 mg. of magnesium glycinate or orotate daily. Within days to weeks, bladder spasms will decrease or stop—as will most other muscle twitches you might have.

Pumpkin Seed Extract. During the past 20 years, pumpkin seed has become popular as a treatment for the urinary complaints associated with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). It also boasts a rare protein called myosin that’s involved in muscle contraction. Plus, there’s some evidence that pumpkin seed reduces bladder pressure and helps strengthen the muscles along the pelvic floor. Take 160 mg 3 times per day with meals.

As an added measure, try some Kegel exercises. You women know what I’m talking about. But they work equally as well for men. Simply contract your pelvic floor muscles for a count of 10, then relax the muscles for another count of 10. Repeat the exercise 8 to 12 times, 3 times a day.

With these options, you should be able to avoid the problem – and the side effects.

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Resources:

Fox C, Richardson K, Maidment ID, Savva GM, et al. Anticholinergic medication use and cognitive impairment in the older population: the medical research council cognitive function and ageing study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Aug;59(8):1477-83. Epub 2011 Jun 24.

FDA Briefing Document for Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee. Oxybutynin Transdermal System. Meeting Date: November 9, 2012.

Zhang X. In vitro and in vivo relaxation of urinary bladder smooth muscle by the selective myosin II inhibitor, blebbistatin. BJU International. 2011;107:310-317.