Foods That Help Overactive Bladder

Diet Tips To Help Manage An Overactive Bladder

Living with an overactive bladder doesnt have to hold you back. With the right strategy, which includes knowing which foods and drinks to add or remove from your diet, you can manage your symptoms and enjoy a completely normal, active life. In fact, you may even feel better than before with the added energy boost you get from our healthy recommendations!

Urologists and other experts recommend keeping a bladder diary to track your symptoms and altering your diet with the following tips to help keep you in control and reduce the chances of an accident.

Caffeinated Foods And Beverages

This one is probably going to be extra hard for some of you, but yes, you might need to ditch the caffeine. Your morning cup of coffee might help you perk up, but it can also aggravate an already sensitive bladder. The caffeine can make you need to go earlier and more often than you might otherwise need to go. That goes for other foods and beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea and chocolateand even some medicines. Also, be careful about decaffeinated coffee and tea. They do contain a small amount of caffeine, and if you are sensitive to caffeine, it may still cause trouble for you.

Oab: What To Drink And When

First, make water your preferred beverage. Added ingredients in sodas and energy drinks, and caffeine in coffee, may aggravate an overactive bladder.

Staying hydrated is important to overall health. But for people with OAB, choosing how much and when to drink is essential. The old saying about drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day? A healthy adult may not need that much. The American Urogynecologic Society suggests drinking water when you’re thirsty.

Here are six tips for managing your fluid intake:

• Spread out fluid intake throughout the day, sipping water between meals.
• Unless exercising, don’t carry a large water bottle with you.
• Fill your cup or glass half-way or use a smaller cup.
• Sip, don’t gulp.
• If you’re drinking enough water, your urine should be light yellow or almost colorless.
• Remember that you also get fluids in other foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and soups.

See your doctor if you have pain or burning with urination, or if your urine is cloudy, dark, or smells strong.

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Food And Drink To Help An Overactive Bladder

An over active bladder can be problematic but did you realise how much difference your diet can make?

• What Are Kegels, and Why Should I Do Them?

If you have an overactive bladder with urge incontinence, food and drink can make a big difference to your symptoms.

So sometimes what you drink or eat can aggravate symptoms and sometimes how much you eat or drink can make them worse, too.

If you are struggling, try these tips to help you calm your urge incontinence symptoms.

What to drink and when

The best drink is plain water as the added ingredients in soft drinks and energy drinks, and caffeine in coffee, may aggravate an overactive bladder.

Staying hydrated is important to overall health but choosing how much and when to drink is essential to help your bladder. THere are some tips for managing your fluid intake:

• Spread out fluid intake throughout the day, sipping water between meals.
• Unless exercising, dont carry a large water bottle with you.
• Fill your cup or glass half-way or use a smaller cup.
• Sip, dont gulp.

If youre drinking enough water, your urine should be light yellow or almost colourless and remember that you also get fluids in other foods, such as fruit, vegetables, and soups.

See your doctor if you have pain or burning with urination, or if your urine is cloudy, dark, or smells strong.

Drinks that may increase the urge to go

These are what you need to cut down, or cut out:

Foods to avoid

Some people find that certain food or drinks seem to make symptoms worse.

Do Away With Bladder Blues

No one wants an unhappy bladder. Irritation, leaks, and so on can really become a thorn in your side. By eating certain foods and avoiding others , you can help to soothe your bladder. Plan ahead, and continue to cook the meals you love, with some minor adjustments. By just replacing some of the ingredients in your favorite recipes with foods that soothe the bladder, youll probably notice less frequent bladder irritation. Let us know how it goes!

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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

Coffee Or Tea Which Makes You Pee

Starting the day with a cup of coffee may be routine, however studies have shown that greater than 250 mg of caffeine daily can irritate the bladder causing urinary urgency and frequency.

Of note, Starbucks has some of the highest caffeine amounts of any coffee chain. One eight-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains approximately 180 mg of caffeine while a large, 20-ounce cup contains 415 mg. Cappuccino, espresso and the iced coffees contain slightly less caffeine than the brewed coffees.

Interestingly, the darker the roast, the less caffeine is present in ground coffee by volume. This is due to a) the longer a bean is roasted, the more caffeine in it is vaporized out of it, and b) the darker the roast, the larger the roasted bean becomes because it expands, producing more ground coffee by volume than a more lightly roasted bean will yield.

As caffeine is a diuretic, women may be causing their kidneys to produce more urine. This can overwhelm the bladder and cause frequent trips to the restroom or urinary leakage. Accordingly, it is good practice to drink at least eight ounces of water for each cup of coffee that you consume especially 30 minutes prior to engaging in an exercise routine to avoid dehydration.

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Sample Menu For A Discriminating Bladder

The above list may appear restricting at first glance, stripped as it is of the holy trio of epicurean guilty pleasureschocolate, coffee, and wine.

But, being kind to the bladder doesn’t mean you have to restrict your loved one or yourself to tasteless rabbit-food. In fact, there are a variety of yummy foods that will keep the bladder calm without forcing you to give up the flavors that make eating pleasurable.

Ruth Frechman, M.A., a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, offers a few examples of meals that may be goodnot only for the urinary tract, but for the taste buds as well:

Breakfast

Oatmeal with fresh blueberries and all-natural maple syrup: One cup of oatmeal has about four grams of fiber in it. Consuming the right amount of fiber will alleviate constipation. Being constipated can put extra pressure on the bladder, increasing the urge to go. Putting fresh blueberries and natural maple syrup on top of the oatmeal will add sweetness to the dish. As an added bonus, research has shown that eating blueberries may reduce a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Blueberries have also been linked to supporting urinary tract health.

Lunch

Snack

Cottage cheese with carrots: “If the cottage cheese is low-fat, and the carrots are fresh, this snack is a tasty way to stock up on beta-carotene , fiber, and vision-boosting vitamin A,” says Frechman.

Dinner

Dessert

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.

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How Is Bladder Cancer Detected

Several different diagnostic tests can be used to detect bladder cancer. Often a combination of tests is selected, taking into account an individual patients symptoms and risk factors. They may include non-invasive tests carried out on urine samples, cystoscopy , and imaging techniques such as x-ray and ultrasound.

Food And Bladder Cancer

Given the lining of the bladder may be exposed to dietary carcinogens excreted in the urine, a number of studies have investigated the impact of dietary components on bladder cancer specifically. While some dietary components may be carcinogenic, findings suggest others can have a protective effect against bladder cancer. The main points of knowledge at this stage, bearing in mind this is an ongoing area of research:

• Vegetables and fruit contain several substances that may protect against cancer, such as antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and organic compounds . It is likely that any protective effect against bladder cancer is due to a combination of effects, rather than a single substance.
• American Cancer Society guidelines for cancer risk reduction recommend a daily intake of at least 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit .

Also Check: Uti Or Bladder Infection Treatment

What Foods Soothe The Bladder Here Are 9

Lets talk about happy bladders, shall we? The type of bladder that doesnt spontaneously spritz when you sneeze or have you running to the toilet like a sprinter. Without a doubt, a happy bladder can make a world of difference in your everyday life. But it can also seem so foreign when youre dealing with leaks. So, what should you do to keep your bladder happy and healthy? What foods soothe the bladder?

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.

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Diet And Overactive Bladder

Diet can be a great place to start to understand more about what triggers your overactive bladder. Food and drinks consumed can irritate the bladder and cause bladder spasms. Diet can be an easy place to start, but its not always simple to understand the correlation. Sometimes its easier to eliminate a large amount of food items and gradually add some back into your diet.

Gluten, for example, can potentially irritate the bladder, so those with a sensitivity to gluten may try eliminating wheat, barley, and rye to help reduce symptoms.

Here are some foods to consider avoiding or limiting when you have overactive bladder. Unfortunately, its quite a comprehensive list:

• Chocolate
• Soy sauce

The Overactive Bladder Diet

The overactive bladder diet

Over 33 million Americans live with overactive bladder, a condition where the hallmark symptoms are an urgent and frequent need to empty your bladder – even if youve just done so.

And, many people with overactive bladder also experience bladder leaks, or incontinence, when theyre not able to make it to a bathroom in time.

Overactive bladder is more common in older adults, but it can occur in anyone – men, women, young or old. People with overactive bladder may find the condition frustrating, and it may even lead to a reduced quality of life, since many are afraid of having an accident in public if a bathroom cannot be located in time. Many people with OAB have reported distancing themselves from family and friends, and avoid doing things they once loved.

Luckily, there are a number of treatment options for people with OAB, but a key to relieving overactive bladder symptoms may just be hiding in your kitchen. Your diet actually plays a huge role in your bladder health. Eating the right foods can help calm an overactive bladder, and eating the wrong foods may just make your symptoms worse.

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Soothe Bladder Pain With These Foods

If you suffer from Overactive Bladder , Bladder Pain Syndrome, or Interstitial Cystitis , youre probably familiar with the feeling of discomfort and urgency that accompanies normal, everyday activities. One way to soothe bladder pain and control these symptoms is through your diet. Eliminating irritating foods and eating soothing foods should dull some of your bladder pain.

According to the IC Network, there are several foods that can affect your bladder symptoms and soothe bladder pain.

Citrus Fruits And Juices

The citric acid in citrus fruits and juices can be a no-go for people who have overactive bladder. Acidic foods in general tend to be problematic, since the acid can lead to urine with a higher acid content. When more acidic urine sits in the bladder, it tends to irritate the bladder, which sets off the symptoms of OAB. You may develop some bladder spasms or have to go more urgently. You might even experience some leaks. With that in mind, avoid or reduce your consumption of:

• Oranges
• Limes
• Grapefruit

Another possibility: try choosing low-acid juices if you absolutely cant bear the thought of permanently giving up the occasional cup of orange juice.

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/9are You Suffering From This Problem

Dealing with an overactive bladder can be quite a challenging task. The frequent and intense need to urinate anytime can cause discomfort and embarrassment, especially when you are in the middle of an important meeting or event.

Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles of your bladder contract suddenly, without any warning sign. You may have an intense urge to use the loo, even when the amount of urine in your bladder is low. This condition may even disrupt your sleep at night due to frequent trips to the toilet. Surprisingly, few foods can make symptoms of an overactive bladder intense because your bladder is sensitive to irritants. So while dealing with this health condition, you must be careful about what you consume throughout the day. Here is a list of 4 best and 4 worst foods to have if you are dealing with an overactive bladder.

Foods To Avoid If You Have Overactive Bladder

If you have overactive bladder, you may feel strong, sudden urges to urinate, even during the night. Eating or drinking certain things can make symptoms worse, mainly because your bladder is sensitive to irritants that can trigger the urge to go.Paying attention to these triggersand avoiding them if possiblecan go a long way toward cutting down on sudden bathroom trips. Here are 10 types of food and drink that can worsen overactive bladder.

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How Can I Manage Bladder Irritation

You can manage discomfort by avoiding foods you have identified as bladder irritants. But removing foods from your diet doesnt mean you can never have them again. You might be able to enjoy them in moderation . Drinking plenty of water will help reduce pain from any bladder-irritating foods you might ingest, in moderation or accidentally.

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.”

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Overactive Bladder And Urgency Incontinence

Overactive bladder is a common type of urinary incontinence characterized by an urgent need to urinate. When your bladder is healthy, youre able to wait to urinate when your brain signals your body that your bladder is full. With overactive bladder, you cant wait and you may feel an urgent need to go even when your bladder isnt full.

Also called urgency incontinence, overactive bladder affects more than 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men in the United States. In addition to a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate, symptoms of overactive bladder may include:

Leaking urine when you feel a sudden need to go

Urinating frequently throughout the day

Waking from sleep to urinate more than once a night, also called nocturia.