Surviving a Flight with a Stressed-Out Bladder
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As a bladder health patient - part urge/part stress - I am on a constant 'bladder alert'. Yes, I know all the "to do's" and "not to do's" and, in general, I feel like I am winning the battle of the bladder.
But then there is THE PLANE RIDE......(cue Star Wars theme, "dum de Dum, dum de Dum....")!
How do you handle a one, two or in my case this morning, a three hour teeny tiny cylinder in the air, plane ride?
OK, here's the general "Do's" list:
- Stay hydrated. This means more bathroom trips. Yikes!
- Get up and move around, if possible, to avoid stiffness and deep vein thrombosis. This could coincide with a walk to the bathroom. IF you can get past the drink cart and aren't blocking the galley waiting in line.
The reality of a plane ride, especially a longer one or, God forbid, a long one on a small one with only one bathroom at the very back, is really tough.
Today I had an 8 a.m. Flight and a 5 a.m. wake-up call, so I needed that big latte to drink on the drive to the airport. I always superset anything bladder-irritating with water to dilute its irritating properties, which in turn fills up my bladder faster. So I have to pee.
In the morning, at least for this first cup, I have cut back my two shots to one and I pledged to go caffeine free for the second and third (short) lattes I might consume later, but this first cup is really the one that does it for me. Especially as I drank it and jumped on this plane I'm on currently.
So my bladder is probably full-ish and I'm waiting for the drink cart to clear the aisles. What's a girl to do?
Here are some tips:
- GREAT time to practice your pelvic floor exercises! How about a set of 'quick flicks' (think "squeeze, rest, rest; squeeze, rest, rest....) for 10 and then a good long, sustained hold for a count of 10. Make sure to rest in between sets for a least 10 seconds.
- Take your mind off of your bladder. Remember it is brain over bladder, so in theory you should be able to change the channel and do your mental taxes or do some writing (like I am doing currently:-)).
- Get up slowly, when the cart clears and WALK back to the end of the plane to go to the bathroom. Running will definitely make your ability to hold it before you get to the toilet impossible.
At last, I promise you, you will be able to get in the bathroom, drop your pants/panties, line the seat with toilet paper if you have to, and take your luxurious 2 minutes (minimum) to pee. Enjoy, savor, wash up and make your way back; thankful that you have the skills to master bladder control in the air.
Fly safely; fly dry!
© 2017 Inspire Santé
