One of the key steps in avoiding uncomfortable pain from holding a full bladder is to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (which are located at the base of the bladder). By completing these exercises, you can strengthen your bladder and experience less frequent urges to urinate.   To find where your pelvic floor muscles are located, go to the bathroom and urinate. While you are peeing, try to stop urinating mid-stream. If you can stop, then you have found the correct muscles.  To complete Kegel exercises, tighten your pelvic floor muscles while you are sitting or lying down. Hold the contraction for five seconds and then release for five counts. Repeat this exercise four to five times. Continue to practice this exercise until you can tighten these muscles for ten seconds at a time. You should do three sets of 4-5 contractions each day. If you are someone who drinks large quantities of liquid in short spurts (such as after exercising or when you have a break during the day), then stagger your liquid intake so you are drinking smaller amounts of liquid throughout the day. This will relieve pressure on your bladder.  Keep a bottle of non-carbonated water by your desk and take a sip every 5-10 minutes. You should generally aim for 9 cups of water (or 2.2 liters) every day. Your bladder will become a stronger organ if you train yourself to urinate on a regular schedule. If you schedule regular bathroom trips every 2-4 hours, then you will experience less frequent urges to urinate at unexpected times. Studies have shown that excess weight and obesity can create an overactive bladder. If you are experiencing frequent urges to pee and are also overweight, try shedding some pounds to see if this will help relieve your symptoms.  You should always consult with your doctor to find the best way to lose weight. Generally, you will need a combination of moderate cardio exercise (running, walking, swimming, hiking), 3-4 times a week and a healthy diet of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, fat and processed carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, popcorn, chips, cookies, brownies, cake, ice cream, etc. Sugary drinks like soda and cocktails should also be avoided or only consumed in very small quantities.
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One-sentence summary -- Practice Kegel exercises. Regulate your hydration. Set a regular bathroom schedule. Watch your weight.


Eating too many salty foods may cause your fingers to swell. Some of the foods that are highest in sodium include highly processed foods, such as:  Canned soups Deli meats Frozen pizza Soy sauce Cottage cheese Olives Injury is one of the most common culprits. Liquids such as blood accumulate in the affected area, causing swelling. Treat an injury first by applying cold (this will constrict the blood vessels), then by applying heat (this will help flush out the fluids). If your bruise or injury lasts longer than 2 weeks, symptoms get more severe or frequent, or signs of skin infection develop, talk to your doctor immediately. When your body encounters something that it's allergic to, it released histamines into your bloodstream. In order to reduce the swelling, you can take antihistamines. If you experience severe difficulty in breathing after an allergic reaction, consult a doctor immediately. Obesity causes the body's lymphatic system to slow down, resulting in edema in the hands and feet. Talk with a doctor or dietician to come up with a weight-loss plan if you believe your swelling may be the result of obesity. Your hands might be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome or cellulitis, for example. Some bacterial infections that affect the hands get into the blood stream and lymph nodes, so it's important to talk to your doctor if you suspect any infection.
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One-sentence summary -- Evaluate your diet and sodium intake. Identify any injuries that could have caused the swelling. Determine if you may have had an allergic reaction. Check your weight to see if obesity may be causing the swelling. Tell your doctor if you think you might have an infection.


Once you understand your parent’s concerns, you can come up with ways to address them. Listen carefully to what your parents say. Don’t interrupt, and ask lots of follow-up questions.  You might ask, “I know that you don’t want me to get a cat. Can you please explain why?” If they say that you won’t clean up after the cat, ask, “Why do you think that?” This is especially important if your parents think you won’t have time to take care of a cat. Write down all your commitments for every day of the week. Think about school, homework, extracurricular activities, and chores. Then, figure out how you can fit in cat care. Show your completed schedule to your parents.  Cats require about an hour of play and attention each day.  You’ll need to scoop the litter box daily and change it every week or so.  You should feed your cat twice a day, make sure they always have fresh water, and clean their water bowl daily. A cat can be expensive. Besides the cost of the cat itself, someone will need to pay for trips to the vet, food, toys, and medicine. Know the numbers so you can start saving money and present the facts to your parents.  Getting a cat from a shelter is the cheapest option. You’ll probably pay $50-$100.  Between medical expenses, food, and supplies, it can cost around $705 per year to own a cat. Start saving your money as soon as possible. Spend less of your allowance, get a job, or ask your parents if you can earn money doing extra chores around the house. Your parents may be able to help you out with the expenses. However, you should contribute as much as you can to the cost of the cat. Do some research about the benefits of owning a cat. List all the reasons why you think a cat would be a good addition to the family. Spend some time thinking of ways to address your parent's concerns. You can deliver this information during a conversation with your parents, or make a powerpoint presentation or a written report.  For example, if your parents are afraid that they’ll be stuck doing all the cat care, you can point out that you’ve been really responsible caring for other pets in the past. If your parents are worried about messes, talk about how you’ll prevent messes and address them when they occur. You could mention that adopting a cat from a shelter is a charitable act because it gives a needy cat a home. If you made a presentation, run through it a few times until it feels easy. If you’re just having a traditional conversation, plan out what you want to say beforehand and practice in the mirror. That way, you’ll remember to discuss all your key points. There is a variety of hypoallergenic cat breeds. If your family has no access to any hypoallergenic cats somehow, then maybe getting a cat might not be the best idea. As awesome as cats are, cat allergies can be pretty troublesome. If a family member has a cat allergy, you probably won’t have much luck convincing your parents to let you get a cat, unless you can get a hypoallergenic cat. Consider a different pet instead, if this is the case for you.  If you’re really passionate about cats and you are unable to have one as a pet, try volunteering at your local shelter to spend time with the kitties there.
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One-sentence summary --
Ask your parents why they don’t want a cat. Make a weekly cat care schedule. Research the cost of adoption and care. Save money to pay for your cat and cat-related expenses. Create a presentation or speech about the benefits of cat ownership. Practice your presentation or speech ahead of time. If a family member has an allergy, then having them consider getting a hypoallergenic cat might be a good idea.