People who rely on incontinence pants and pads should consider modifying their lifestyle before resorting to medical treatment, an expert has said.

According to Dr Hanaa al-Hothi, a urology specialist at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, first line treatment for adult incontinenceusually involves a series of behavioural modifications.

She told the Gulf Times: "Urinary incontinence, which include overactive bladder, could be very disturbing as it affects the patient's quality of life.

"So in order to assist them, we first place them on behavioural modification steps such as diet control, weight loss and bladder training."

A number of food and drink items should be avoided, such as oranges and lemons, fizzy drinks, caffeinated beverages and spicy foods, as these can all irritate the lining of the bladder.

Dr al-Hothi revealed: "Patients are also being advised to control their weight as obesity is one of the risk factors for this condition, and we also encourage them in bladder training where they are asked to resist the urge to void."

NHS doctors also recommend lifestyle changes, while people who do not benefit from this course of action may want to try medication or a surgical procedure.