BLADDERMANAGEMENT

Self Management & Problem Solving

Ifyouarehavingtroubleswithyourbladderroutineorcomplications,trygoingthroughthesestepstoidentifyandrespondtotheproblemyou’reexperiencing.

Step1:Identifytheproblem:Startbygettingaclearpictureofwhat’swrong.Ifyou’rehavingproblemswithurinarytractinfections,payattentiontowhentheyhappenandwhatseemstocausethem.

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Step2:Findthecause:Trytogetabetterunderstandingofwhatmaybecausingyourproblem,andsomedifferentwaysyoumighttrytosolveit.Thismayinvolvedoingresearchorconsultinghealthcareproviders.Youmayalsofindithelpfultospeakwithpeers,peoplewhohavehadsimilarexperiences.Makesureyouevaluatethereliabilityoftheinformationyoufind,andtrynottorelyoninformationfromonlyonesource.

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Step3:Brainstormsolutions:Basedontheinformationyoufind,listsomethingsyoumighttry.Forexample,todealwithrecurringUTIs,youmightwanttodrinkmorewater,takecranberrysupplements,andpayspecialattentiontohygiene.

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medicaltreatmentofaqualifiedphysicianorhealthcareprovider.(c)2018SpinalCordInjuryBC

Step4—Tryone&evaluateresults:Usingyourlistofsolutions,choosetheonethatseemsbestandgiveitatry.It’simportanttomakeonlyonechangeatatimesoyoucantellwhetheritworksornot.Makesureyoukeeptrackofwhatyoudoandwhattheresultsare.Ifyousolvetheproblem,that’sgreat!Ifnot,youmaywanttogobacktostep3andchooseanotheroption.Problem-solvingcaninvolvelotsoftrialanderror.

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Step 5—Know when to ask for help: Don’t try to take everything on by yourself. You can ask your health care team for information and help with your problem-solving, as your needs change over time.

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LastUpdated:October2018