A non-pharmacologic approach to manage urinary urgency includes which strategy?

• A. Take a diuretic
• B. Scheduled bathroom trips, fluid management, pelvic floor exercises as directed, and avoiding bladder irritants.
• C. Ignore the urge and delay
• D. Immediately catheterize on demand

Answer: (B)

A non-pharmacologic approach to urinary urgency focuses on bladder training and lifestyle adjustments that reduce triggers and improve control. Scheduling regular bathroom trips helps prevent the bladder from becoming overly full, which decreases sudden urges. Fluid management, including spreading intake throughout the day and limiting large amounts at once or before bedtime, helps prevent overdistension that can provoke urgency. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder and urethra, improving voluntary control and reducing urgency and leakage. Avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, acidic or spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners lowers bladder irritability and the frequency of urgent signals.

In contrast, a diuretic increases urine production and can worsen urgency; ignoring the urge can lead to accidents or urinary retention; catheterizing on demand is an invasive medical intervention rather than a non-pharmacologic strategy.