What Dr Hilary Jones wants you to know about bladder weakness at Christmas

The festive period should be for spending time with loved ones, whether that's a party, night away or a merry get-together at someone's house. However, if you're suffering from bladder weakness, the thought of unwanted leaks may hinder your enjoyment – and we don't want that.

There are a whole host of causes of an overactive bladder including certain medication, diabetes

and weight issues. In men a likely cause is prostate enlargement and for women symptoms can be caused by strain on the pelvic floor muscles following childbirth or the menopause. You shouldn't have to halt your plans because of a little leak. These handy tips from Dr Hilary Jones will help you keep control, this Christmas:

1. Watch what you drink

Alcohol and high-caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks can irritate the lining of the bladder, giving you the feeling of needing to urinate, even when your bladder is not quite full. It's easy to get carried away and overindulge during the festive period but it's always wise to think before you drink.

2. Do you really need to go?

Sometimes the anxiety associated with bladder weakness can make you visit the loo more than is actually necessary. Try holding off five minutes longer; it's possible to retrain your bladder to keep control.

3. "Don't drink before bed, you'll be up all night!"

I'm sure we've all heard this one, but it's actually good practice to watch how much you drink in the last two hours before you go to bed. Don't cut down on your fluid intake throughout the day, just distribute your drink more evenly.

4. Plan ahead

Note where the nearest bathroom is. You'll feel much more comfortable knowing there's a toilet nearby should a sudden urge come on.

5. Get covered, day and night

Pharmacies, convenience stores and supermarkets will stock a range of bladder weakness products for both men and women, ranging from light protection shields and liners to heavier protection pads and pants (such as the new TENA Men Active Fit Pants) which can be worn in the place of regular underwear.

For those who suffer with bladder weakness at night, making plans to stay at a loved ones over the festive period may be tainted by the thought of embarrassing urine leakage in bed. There are products out there that are suitable for night-time use, too.