Caffeine Can Make You Go Early And Often
Do you love coffee, colas, or energy drinks? You might want to rethink your caffeine habit. Caffeine is a potential bladder irritant that increases urine production, so you may make more frequent trips to the bathroom. Caffeinated beverages contain acid, which also irritates the bladder. Swap out your caffeinated favorites for decaffeinated versions, coffee that is low in acid, and herbal tea .
What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer
- Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer and often the first sign noticed. Depending on the amount of blood present, urine can appear red, pink, or brownish in color. There may be no associated pain, and long periods of time between episodes of hematuria .
- Changes in urinary habits and symptoms of urinary irritation, which may include increased frequency and urgency of urination, pain or a burning sensation during urination, and/or difficulty passing urine.
- If bladder cancer has grown in size or spread to other areas of the body, the symptoms experienced will depend on how far and to where the cancer has spread. They may include, for example, lower back pain on one side of the body, appetite and/or weight loss, general weakness, or bone pain.
As hematuria and urinary symptoms are common to several bladder disorders, including bladder cancer, it is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms so that the cause can be determined.
Learn The Food Dos And Donts For Dealing With Oab
Coloradans know that our cuisine reaches far beyond Chipotle burritos, the fearsome Rocky Mountain Oyster and Coors Light. Its a state rich in culturally diverse flavors and theres never a shortage of wine and beer .
Colorado also loves to celebrate food and drink with festivals like Aspens Food & Wine Classic with palates prepared for decadence.
But for women suffering from an overactive bladder , consuming the wrong foods will provide little comfort. By focusing on a bladder-friendly diet that avoids known irritants and opts for smart alternatives, urgency, frequency and bladder discomfort may be greatly reduced.
Recommended Reading: How To Take Care Of A Bladder Infection At Home
How To Improve Bladder Health
Many factors related to bladder care, lifestyle, and nutrition can help to maintain and improve bladder health, including:
- Bladder related:
- Empty your bladder regularly and whenever needed . A normally functioning bladder needs to void every 3 to 4 hours.
- Do pelvic floor exercises
- Try to avoid conditions that favor bacterial growth
- Lifestyle related:
- Drink adequate amounts of fluids, especially water
- Eat a healthy diet with plentiful fruit and vegetables
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
These Are The Best Foods And Drinks To Ease Bladder Irritation According To A Urologist
Chances are that you can rattle off at least a short list of foods that are good for your heart and your gut , but what about foods for bladder health? Yep, there are science-backed ones to turn to for that, too.
When eating with bladder health in mind, urologist James Kelley, DO, says it’s helpful to know what causes bladder irritation in the first place. “Bladder irritation can have a range of symptomsincluding urinary pain or burning to experiencing pain in the entire pelvis areaand can stem from many different reasons, including urinary tract infections to more serious health issues, like bladder cancer,” he says. This is why it’s always a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor, who can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your urinary pain or irritation.
Especially if bladder irritation is something you experience on a regular basis, it can be helpful to know what foods and drinks can help support overall bladder health. That’s where this dietary advice from Dr. Kelley can come in handy. But before we get into the good stuff, he says it’s helpful to know what foods and drinks could potentially be working against you. “Caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods, and spicy foods are notorious for being irritating to the bladder,” he says. So if you’re crafting your meals with bladder health in mind, that’s something to be mindful of. What should you fill up with instead? Here, Dr. Kelley shares the best drinks and foods for bladder health.
Read Also: Can Hernia Mesh Cause Bladder Problems
What Is A Bladder Diet
Patients often ask if we have recommendations for a bladder diet foods that will help ease certain bladder symptoms. The short answer is, yes, there are foods that can help the bladder. However, there are others that can irritate the bladder. Initially, its important to identify which urinary health condition youre hoping to support through diet modifications.
How Diet Affects Oab
When our bodies create urine, its made up of the liquid waste that the kidneys filter from our blood. Traces of the foods and drinks we consume can therefore end up in our urine, which is then stored in the bladder. Some foods that you eat may actually irritate your bladder, causing bladder spasms, that gotta go now feeling, and even bladder leaks.
People who have a sensitivity to gluten may also experience overactive bladder symptoms, as the bladder can be irritated by gluten. Eliminating foods with wheat, rye and barley may help to alleviate symptoms of OAB.
Also Check: What Is The Best Medication For Bladder Infection
Increase Your Fiber Intake
Eating more fiber-rich foods is one of the tastiest tips for promoting bladder health. Fiber is an essential part of an effective overactive bladder diet, and can be found in an array of foods from the beans and lentil family as well as some of the whole grain foods youve already added to your grocery list.Recipe Tip – Black beans are a great addition to many of your existing meals. Love eating a quesadilla? Add black beans to your chicken quesadilla for a meal packed with fiber – extra points for making it on a whole grain wrap! Do you crave pasta? Try lentil pasta for your next spaghetti night – you wont even notice the difference!
Artificial Sweeteners And Preservatives
The use of artificial sweeteners is somewhat controversial in nutrition literature. While these sugar substitutes may help control caloric intake, most nutritionists recommend using natural sweeteners, such as stevia, instead of artificial sweeteners.
Remember the big scare in the seventies when lab rats developed bladder cancer after being force-fed saccharin? Subsequent research on humans showed that artificial sweeteners did not result in increased incidences of bladder cancer. In fact, no studies on humans have linked the development of cancer to artificial sweeteners, but they can still irritate the bladder. This is because the body converts certain of these sweeteners to sugar alcohols during metabolism and because alcohol is a bladder irritant, this can lead to urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage.
Many food preservatives are also bladder irritants. Benzoic acid, a preservative in many fruit juices and carbonated beverages, is often combined with citric acid to improve flavor. Sulfites, or sulfur dioxide, are also acidic in nature and are used in wines, fruits, and vegetables to preserve color and flavor. When you put any form of acid in your body, the result may be an overactive bladder.
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Get Bladder Infections So Easily
Foods That May Irritate The Bladder
Michael Chiarello made a burrata caprese salad at a previous Aspen Food and Wine Festival that looked delicious, however it contained several ingredients that are a minefield for anyone with bladder pain. He built a beautiful dish with chili-infused vinegar, large slices of heirloom tomatoes, and large pieces of cheese.
Be Selective With Juice
Many people find that some citrus juices and drinks, including orange and pineapple juices and lemonade, irritate the bladder because of their acidity. On the other hand, there is evidence that cranberry juice may reduce urinary tract infections, Dr. Griebling says. Cranberry can contribute to bladder health because it helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. Cranberry also can be acidic, so if it bothers you, stop drinking it.
Also Check: Why Do I Keep Getting Bladder Infections After Intercourse
Our Top 5 Tips For Practical Ways To Improve Bladder Health
Originally published on: July 7th, 2017. Last modified on October 11th, 2021
Did you know that for many people, incontinence issues can be vastly improved just by adjusting what we eat and drink?
The NHS estimates that there are around 14 million people who have bladder control problems and around 6.5 million people who suffer from poor bowel control and these are people of all ages incontinence in not an issue just for the elderly.
In this blog, we explore how what we eat and drink can affect our bladder and/or bowel. We offer tips on what foods cause bladder irritation and how the bladder can be calmed by avoiding these triggers.
The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
Most Popular: If your dog has a sensitive stomach on top of urinary health issues, you need to be extra careful about what you feed him.
The best non-prescription dog food for urinary health and sensitive stomach might be something like this dehydrated recipe from The Honest Kitchen.
It is dehydrated rather than cooked at high temperature which preserves more of the nutritional integrity of the raw ingredients. Plus, you need to rehydrate it with water or broth before serving which makes it a moisture-rich diet for your dog.
This particular recipe features free-range chicken as the main ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates like flaxseed and sweet potatoes with dried fruits and veggies to provide a boost of premium-quality nutrition.
It is complete and balanced thanks to fortification with essential vitamins and chelated minerals, plus it provides the optimal balance of protein and healthy fats.
- Pros: Dehydrated not cooked at high temperatures, high moisture content when rehydrated, free-range chicken as main ingredient, highly digestible and nutritious
- Cons: Expensive compared to most kibbles, some dogs dislike the texture of dehydrated food
Don’t Miss: What Were Your Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer
Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine
Alcohol stimulates the bladder, and thats the last thing you need if you have an overactive bladder. Pass on wine, beer, and liquor so you dont have to worry about the frequent urination that often accompanies them. Caffeine is also a stimulant that can cause urgency, frequency, and incontinence. Its found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some sodas and energy drinks.
Do You Have Bladder Problems These Are The Symptoms To Watch Out For:
Bladder problems arent only found in older people. People of all ages can find themselves with bladder issues. In some cases, it can become a challenge to control the bladder. This sometimes also results in incontinence. Another common bladder problem is Overactive Bladder Syndrome , where you always feel a frequent urge to urinate. So before it is too late, recognize the signs and symptoms of bladder problems, including bladder infection and Urinary Tract Infection. Some of the common symptoms of bladder troubles include:
Pain while urination A frequent urge to urinate also known as urgency Cramping in the lower abdomen and lower back
Donât Miss: Bladder Medication Over The Counter
Don’t Miss: Can A Prolapsed Bladder Cause Nausea
Best Foods For Bladder Health
Do you run to the bathroom after every meal? Do you ever notice that you always seem to have an accident after eating a specific type of food? Its no coincidence. What you eat and drink has a huge effect on your bathroom habits, and if youre suffering from bladder leakage , its worth your time to start paying more attention to your diet.
There are many known bladder irritants that may be causing you trouble.
Do Cranberries Help Or Hurt
Cranberries are a mixed bag when it comes to your bladder. You may notice drinking cranberry juice helps ward off urinary tract infections, but the beverage may make you pee more often. Cranberries and cranberry juice are acidic and potential bladder irritants. Pay attention to how you feel when you ingest cranberries or cranberry juice. If they give you overactive bladder symptoms, you may need to back off. Decreasing your intake of acidic foods may also help decrease heartburn symptoms.
You May Like: What Is Good For Bladder Health
Do Some Detective Work
Coffee, chocolate, soda, Thai food, oranges, and wine are potential bladder irritants. If you’re consuming multiple kinds of foods and drinks daily that irritate your bladder, it might be difficult to know what’s contributing to your issues. You may need to stop consuming all potentially irritating foods and beverages for a time to see if your symptoms improve. And then add these foods and beverages back into your diet one at a time to see if they trigger symptoms.
- Interstitial Cystitis Association: Least and Most Bothersome Foods.
- The Johns Hopkins Center for Pelvic Health: Bladder Irritants.
- Amano Artisan Chocolate: “How Much Caffeine is in Chocolate?”
- AUA Foundation: “Loss of Bladder Control.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Bladder Irritating Foods,” “Overactive Bladder.”
- Columbia Health: “Go Ask Alice.”
- Cystitis & Overactive Bladder Foundation: “OAB Diet.”
- Duke Health: “Water, Water Everywhere.”
- FEMA Ready.gov: “Managing Water.”
Drink Plenty Of Water
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Many people with urinary incontinence avoid drinking fluids, as they feel it causes more problems. However, limiting your fluid intake makes incontinence worse, because it reduces your bladder’s capacity.
Not drinking enough fluid can also cause constipation or make it worse.
Find out which are the healthiest drinks.
Don’t Miss: Overactive Bladder After Prostate Surgery
Foods For Overactive Bladder
You may think that your liquid intake determines your bladder comfort, but that is only part of the story. In fact, what you eat can have just as much impact on how your bladder operates and how your OAB responds, so it might be time to revamp your daily diet to incorporate foods for overactive bladder. So, let’s take a look at the best foods for overactive bladder.
As with most chronic conditions, balance is your best friend when managing OAB learning how to get a range of nutrients, stay hydrated, and enjoy your diet will make a big difference in your daily symptoms. Start with a few small additions to see how your bladder reacts, and eventually work in all of these healthy, bladder-friendly foods.
Medications For Unspecified Oab
If your doctor cant find a cause for your OAB, dont worry. Drugs can still help ease your symptoms. Some of these drugs work by relaxing your bladder. They stop involuntary contractions that bring on the urge to urinate. Other drugs help strengthen the tissues around your bladder that may have become weak. The stronger tissue can help improve your bladder control.
Don’t Miss: Does Ibuprofen Irritate The Bladder
Are There Foods That Can Help Prevent Recurrence
Roughly 75 percent of bladder cancer cases are non-muscle invasive. About 60 to 70 percent of cases of this type of cancer will recur. Regular follow-up appointments with your care team are important to monitor your health.
Theres no one way of eating thats proven to reduce the risk of recurrence. Some studies link eating lots of fruits and vegetables to a lower risk of bladder cancer. However, a 2018 review suggested vegetable intake does not play a role in preventing recurrence.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables is still recommended for other reasons. It can reduce your risk of other cancers and heart disease.
A 2010 study of 239 people with bladder cancer looked at whether eating cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli, had any effect on survival. People who ate the most broccoli tended to live longer. These positive effects on survival were seen even with one serving of raw broccoli per month.
Still, more research is needed in this area before any diet or food is widely recommended for the prevention of bladder cancer recurrence.
Summary
Although theres no clear evidence that any foods will prevent bladder cancer recurrence, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may help. It also supports overall health.
If You’re Concerned About Bladder Cancer Ask Your Doctor About Cxbladder
Cxbladder is a non-invasive genomic urine test that can quickly and accurately detect or rule out bladder cancer. The test combines clinical risk factor markers with genetic information, measuring five biomarker genes to detect the presence or absence of bladder cancer in hematuria patients and those being monitored for recurrence.
Cxbladders unique urine sample collection system is discrete, painless and easy-to-use, taking only minutes. With performance proven in over 12 peer-reviewed studies, the test has been trusted by over 1,800 US urologists in over 40,000 patients. The test is covered by Medicare and comes with the option of in-home sampling.
Don’t Miss: Bladder Leakage Only At Night
Citric Foods And Drinks
Many fruits and certain vegetables are acidic and can cause urinary urgency and frequency. Tomatoes are among the worst offenders, as they are extremely acidic and can often be a hidden ingredient in soups and sauces.
Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and pineapples are some of the most acidic fruits. In addition, beware of fruit juices, which usually have added sugar and preservatives, both of which may affect the bladder. Low-acid fruits include watermelons, papayas, pears, and apricots.
Foods Your Bladder Will Fall In Love With
If you have a sensitive bladder, you will not have to miss out on tasty foods this fall. The key is to know which foods are more likely to irritate your bladder and which ones are more likely to soothe. In general, you will want to avoid coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato-based products, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods. Read on to learn about 10 bladder-friendly foods.
Also Check: Types Of Pessaries For Bladder Prolapse