A prolapsed bladder or cystocele effects rest patterns and,
by extension, the quality of rest. A prolapsed bladder is a protrusion of the
bladder into the front wall of the vagina caused by weakened muscles in the
pelvic floor area. This brings several uncomfortable feelings, urination, and
several other complications associated with it that make it hard to have a
meaningful rest. This blog discuss in regards to overcoming the obstructive
sleep disorders of patients suffering from prolapsed bladder.
What is a Prolapsed Bladder?
To describe briefly some sleep remedies, it would first be
helpful to have an understanding of what it is to have a prolapsed bladder. The
pelvic floor muscles support the bladder the urethra and other organs. Once
these muscles become weakened through a process such as childbirth obesity
menopause, or heavy lifting the bladder may prolapse down into the vaginal
canal.
Symptoms of a Prolapsed Bladder
Many are suffering from some or all of the following
- Weight or pressure in the pelvis
- Incontinence or leakage
- Nocturia - urine frequency, mostly at night
- Unable to sense an empty bladder after urinating
- Pain during coitus
Here is How to sleep with a Prolapsed Bladder
1. Comfortable Sleeping Position
For a prolapsed bladder patient, it does not matter how comfortable a sleeping position is because the patient can still be in varying levels of pain. The most recommended ways to sleep are:
- Side Sleeping: Position: Side. With side sleeping, you avoid
pressure on the bladder. You can also put a pillow between your knees for
improved support and to align your spine: Lift Your Legs: In case you're better
sleeping on your back, get the help of a wedge pillow or even a pile of regular
pillows to raise your legs. That position can also help eliminate pelvic
pressure besides keeping useful circulation.
- Sleeping Flat on Your Back: The pain will not improve while
lying flat on your back.
2. Sleeping Environment
Any patient with bed rest problems requires an accepted
sleeping space. Some of the following ideas would make your sleeping place
comfortable:
- Cool Room: A cool room also serves to be the best sleep.
Keep the temperature between 15-19°C. Use fans or air conditioning if necessary
and with no noise.
- Blackout Curtains: Ensure that the room has no lights as
this gives some cue signals to your body that now you need to sleep.
3. Control Water Intake
Sometimes control over fluid intake can be an effective remedy in treating nocturia, which is a condition of having multiple urinations at night. It can be controlled as follows:
- Fluid intake should be withheld at least two hours before
sleep; fluid intake in the last hours before sleep should be reduced.
- Avoid caffeine drinks and alcohol. These stimulate the bladder and give urination urges. Herbal tea or water is a wonderful alternative.
View More: 12 Health Benefits Of Bladderwrack
4. It will also relax you to try one of the following:
Apart from that, stress and anxiety amplify symptoms as well as interfere with sleep. Relieving practices have to come into daily practice for the brain to get soothed and ready to sleep:
- Deep Breathing Exercise: Deep breathe to relax yourself.
- Light Stretching: You can lightly stretch before you fall
asleep to relax all that tension in the body by pulling in directions. Just
have a stretch as light as possible so that you do not pull on the pelvic
region.
- Mindfulness Meditation: At times, mindfulness meditation
just calms down your anxiety and leaves you relatively relaxed. There are
hundreds of apps and videos that can walk you through the different types of
meditation.
5. Invest in Supportive Bedding
Supportive bedding is very crucial; the right bedding makes all the difference for comfortable sleep:
- Choose a Soft Mattress: One of the best alternatives is the
choice of a soft mattress, which will easily reduce pressure in the pelvis
area. However, you are supposed to opt for a medium-firm mattress that will mould
itself into your body.
- Utilize Support Pillows: You are meant to utilize the
pillows whose main function is to provide support to the pelvic girdle support.
This will be in a position to reduce malalignment and discomfort in the
affected region.
6. Sleep Timing
Have a bedtime routine that allows your body to know that it is time to sleep.
- Set a good Sleep Schedule: Sleep at the same hour each night
and wake up at the same hour every morning. This creates a pattern in your
body.
- Practice a Soothing Pre-Sleep Routine: Do those activities
before sleep which are soothing, reading, warm bath, or soft music.
7. Talk to a Health Expert
If you're still uncomfortable or can't sleep well, it's
always good to have a health care provider on whom you can depend for specific
recommendations and treatment plans-for example, pelvic floor exercises,
physical therapy, or surgical interventions if necessary.
Other Lifestyle Changes Supportive of Overall Pelvic Health
In addition to those strategies for sleep, consider these other lifestyle changes supportive of overall pelvic health:
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Exercises like Kegel may help
strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, thus making discomfort caused by a
prolapsed bladder easier.
- Healthy Weight: Maintaining good diet and exercising well is
simple lifestyle changes that enable the patient to effectively handle the
condition in controlling the weight. It aids in losing excess weight, thus
reducing the unwanted pressure that can exert on the pelvic floor.
- Hydration: While fluids have to be taken during the daytime
before sleep, fluid hydration during the day can prevent urinary tract infections as well as general well-being.
Support networks: the importance
Besides sleep-enhancing strategies, a good support network can be a balm for suffering patients. Most patients with prolapsed bladders look forward to seeking support from people who would rather have similar experiences; they offer emotional support and practical tips. Some of the tips can come from online forums, support groups around one's locality, or even a doctor.
One would share experiences with friends, family, or even support
groups, thus being understood and empowered to overcome these individual
feelings of isolation. Remember that you are never alone in this journey, and
help could mean so much for managing physical and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Sleeping with a prolapsed bladder is not very comfortable. However, practical strategies will go a long way in helping the patient sleep comfortably and soothingly. Optimizing sleep positions, making the sleep environment conducive, fluid intake management and relaxation techniques are some ways to tackle the situation to enhance your experience while sleeping.
Lifestyle interventions that promote the health of the pelvis, such as pelvic floor
exercises and weight management, likely are associated with longer-term
benefits. If sleep is still problematic then a doctor should be consulted to
devise a plan by which to address each of these symptoms in a step-by-step
fashion.
Given the measures on board to provide comfort, the
prolapsed bladder patient will be sure to sleep at night and feel all right
during the day.
Please book an appointment with the Best Nephrologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.