How Does Alcohol Affect The Bladder
Alcohol increases urine production and irritates the bladder. This occurs because alcohol interferes with the production of the hormone, vasopressin.
Vasopressin has many functions in the body. It regulates fluid balance by increasing the reabsorption of water from waste products. Since the body is not receiving the message to reabsorb water excess water is removed from it via urine. When alcohol is consumed, the body makes more urine the bladder requires frequent emptying.
The reason why people are dehydrated after a night of heavy drinking is because alcohol dries out the tissues of the body by increasing the amount of urine produced and excreted. If you have an overactive bladder, you already need to urinate frequently without drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol is not in your best interest because you will need to get rid of more urine and have the urge to go even more frequently than you already do. In addition, you risk becoming dehydrated if you consume a moderate or large amount of alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is an irritant. Its irritating effects may make you feel as if you have to urinate more frequently as well. If you already suffer from a sensitive bladder, the irritating effects of alcohol will only make the urge to urinate occur more frequently and make it even more difficult to control your OAB.
How Do I Get Rid Of Overactive Bladder Fast
Perform the following steps to train your bladder:
How Cranberry Juice Helps With Utis
UTIs happen when bacteria find their way into your urinary tract . The most common culprit is the bacteria E. coli.
E. coli normally lives in your intestines, but sometimes it can spread to your urethra. When this happens, E. coli bacteria stick to the lining of your urethra using a protein called adhesin. They can then spread to your bladder and kidneys if left untreated.
Cranberries can prevent this from happening as they contain a group of compounds called proanthocyanins. These chemicals have antibacterial properties and are designed to protect the cranberry plant from microbes as it grows. These chemicals can help to prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from sticking to the urethra and spreading.
Numerous studies have confirmed the antibacterial properties of cranberries. However, in order to be effective, a fairly high dose is needed. This can cause problems for some people including stomach upsets, headaches, and increased blood sugar.
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What To Drink And Avoid With Overactive Bladder
When thinking about a bladder diet, deciding what to drink can be a challenge for some people. It is important to stay hydrated, and some people with OAB avoid drinking to prevent multiple washroom visits, but this is not a good idea. Dehydration can cause constipation and a whole host of other problems. Although we have always been instructed to drink eight glasses of water a day, some people may not need that much and those with overactive bladder should simply remember to drink water when they feel thirsty. They should also spread their fluid intake out throughout the day, sipping their drinks as opposed to gulping them. If a person is drinking enough, then their urine will be light yellow or almost colorless.
In terms of choice, here are some drinks people with OAB might want to avoid:
- Coffee, cola, tea, and energy drinks
- Alcohol
- Carbonated beverages
- Drinks with artificial sweeteners
Studies show that reducing caffeine intake to below 100 mg per day which is the amount in a regular cup of drip coffee can reduce bladder problems for a lot of people. This means that some OAB sufferers may still be able to enjoy at least one cup of coffee in a day. It is a case of trial and error, as some will find they cant handle the slightest amount of caffeine. When it comes to fruit juice, some have found that adding a little bit of extra water to the juice is helpful, while others discover that they have to switch to juices that are less acidic.
Eat Foods Rich In Magnesium
Foods that are rich in magnesium are known to be effective. Magnesium is helping in improving nerve function, reducing bladder muscle spasms. These foods include almonds, green vegetables, whole grains and fish. One study at Tel Aviv University in Isreal discovered that more than half of the women who took magnesium hydroxide pills twice a day had improvements in bladder health.
Protective Products for an Irritated Bladder
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What Foods And Drinks To Avoid
While you may want to drink less liquid so you dont have to urinate as often, you should still make sure you stay hydrated. More concentrated urine, usually darker in color, can irritate your bladder and cause more frequent urination.
Other foods and drinks can contribute to OAB symptoms, including:
- alcohol
- tea
- tomato-based foods
You can test which drinks or foods irritate your bladder by eliminating them from your diet. Then reincorporate them one by one every two to three days at a time. Permanently eliminate the particular food or drink that worsens your symptoms.
Causes Of Overactive Bladder
To understand the cause of Overactive Bladder, a basic understanding of how the urinary system operates is needed.
The kidneys produce the urine and send it to the bladder. The bladder expands to holds the urine while the sphincter muscle acts as a spiget and controls the flow of urine. Basically on or off. As soon as your bladder gets approximately half fullmost people can handle about 2 cups of urineyour brain is signaled that you need to empty it. The bladder muscles contract while the sphincter relaxes. When there is a coordination problem along this system, incontinence occurs.
With Overactive Bladder, a person may be suddenly aware of the urgency sensation but is unable to get to the toilet before losing control of his or her urine. Urine loss can be in large amounts that soak underwear and even outer clothing.
Common triggers like hearing running water or simply the anticipation of urinating can cause a bladder spasm. In some cases, people who have physical limitations may not be able to reach the toilet in time, causing an accident.
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What Causes An Overactive Bladder
Your kidneys produce urine, and the urine later drains into your bladder. As you urinate, the urine further passes through an opening at the bottom of your bladder and then flows out of your body through the urethra. In women, the urethra is located right above the vagina, whereas, in men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis.
This entire process of urination is controlled by nerve signals. When your bladder is filled, your brain receives signals to trigger the urge to urinate. As you urinate, your brain again receives signals to relax the muscles of your pelvic floor as well as the urethra to help pass the urine. Simultaneously, your bladder tightens to push the urine out.
In the case of an overactive bladder, the contraction of the bladder occurs involuntarily, even when the volume of urine inside is relatively low. This action causes a sudden urge to pee.
While the exact cause of this occurrence is yet to be found, the following are some factors that could be contributing to the symptoms of an overactive bladder:
Overactive Bladder Diet: Foods And Drinks To Manage Bladder Health
Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onOctober 31, 2016
As studies have shown, those who suffer from overactive bladder can manage their bladder health with diet adjustments. While it does take a little planning, it can bring many OAB sufferers a lot of relief.
Overactive bladder is best described as a bladder problem that leads to the sudden urge to urinate or the need to urinate frequently throughout the day and night. While volume of fluid intake can have an impact on this condition, there seems to be a lot of personal testimony suggesting the type of fluid and the kind of foods that are consumed play a very big role in the symptom flare-ups.
Statistics indicate that approximately 33 million Americans have overactive bladder, but there are likely many more people who havent reported the problem to their doctors. Part of the reason people go undiagnosed is because they are too embarrassed to talk about it or they think there is no way to treat it. Its a shame because overactive bladder can disrupt a persons work, social, and family life.
Certain foods can irritate the bladder and urinary tract. Although the impact of different foods vary from person to person, many people do find that slight adjustments to their diet or focusing on foods for bladder health are a good way to help treat OAB.
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What Is The Home Remedy For Frequent Urination
To do Kegel exercises:Try stopping your urine mid-stream when going. The muscles you use are pelvic floor muscles. Focus on tightening those muscles when you have an empty bladder. Breathe normally when doing these exercises.Avoid squeezing your stomach, thighs, or buttocks instead of your pelvic floor muscles.
Oab: Drinks That May Increase The Urge To Go
One of the biggest OAB culprits iscaffeine, which can make you urinate more. Studies show that reducing caffeine intake to below 100 milligrams per day — the amount in one cup of drip coffee — may help reduce urge incontinence symptoms.
Cut down or cut out these problem beverages:
- Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, colas, energy drinks, and teas
- Acidic fruit juices, especially orange, grapefruit, and tomato
- Carbonated beverages, sodas, or seltzers
- Drinks with artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, which may irritate the bladder
If you can’t imagine starting your day without a morning cup of coffee, try to lower the amount of caffeine you take in. Make a cup that’s half decaf and half regular. You may want to wean yourself gradually to avoid caffeine withdrawal headaches.
For fruit juice, try switching to something with less acid, such as apple or pear juice, and dilute it with water.
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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.
What Can I Take Over
The drug oxybutynin may be used to treat OAB. It is available over-the-counter in patch form, which delivers 3.9 mg of oxybutynin daily through your skin. However, the over-the-counter patch is only available to women. Men may take oxybutynin in patch or oral form, but they need a prescription for it.
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Are Some Types Of Alcohol Less Harmful To The Bladder
Sometimes people ask if it would be better to drink a concentrated alcoholic beverage, such as whiskey or vodka instead of beer, mixed drinks or wine so that the volume of liquid is reduced. The answer to that question is no.
Most of the increased urine precipitated by drinking alcohol is not due to the liquid in the beverage. Rather, it is caused by alcohols effect of increasing urine production.
There is no benefit of drinking undiluted hard liquor as opposed to other alcoholic beverages. Conversely, there is no advantage of drinking wine or beer as opposed to hard liquor in an effort to reduce the irritating effects of alcohol on the tissues of the urinary tract.
Overactive Bladder Treatment Options
Research indicates that most people believe the symptoms of an overactive bladder are an inevitable and normal part of growing older, rather than a treatable medical problem. This couldnt be further from the truth.
In fact, fewer than half of individuals with incontinence actually consult a healthcare provider about their problem. This is unfortunate, since there are many treatments available to combat symptoms of OAB.
Even though it may feel embarrassing to talk about your condition, its important to talk to your doctor about your incontinence symptoms. Watch our short film below about the importance of speaking up about bladder leakage.
NAFC is excited to debut a short film about coming to terms with overactive bladder and incontinence. About just how challenging it can be to admit that there’s a problem. And also about how facing up to that reality can be an important first step towards drier days. Watch this short video about OAB, and about how not speaking up can create more problems than staying silent.
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Smoking May Increase The Urge To Urinate
Smoking irritates the lining of the bladder, and also makes you cough, both of which are unhelpful if you have an overactive bladder.
It is a good decision for both general health reasons and overactive bladder reasons to stop smoking. Work with your health care provider to start a formal “Quit Smoking” program, which may involve smoking cessation medications and group support for the most successful outcome.
Learn more: Our Quit Smoking center also has some helpful advice.
What Can I Drink For Overactive Bladder
The evidence suggesting that people with OAB should avoid caffeine is varied and mainly anecdotal. However, some people may find it helpful to avoid or limit caffeinated drinks and opt for water, diluted juice, and herbal teas instead. This may improve symptoms of urgency and frequency but not incontinence.
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What Can I Take Naturally For Overactive Bladder
Pumpkin seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that pumpkin seed oil improves abnormal urinary function and reduces symptoms of OAB. Another Japanese study found that pumpkin seeds and soybean seed extract also significantly reduced incontinence.
So Can I Drink With Overactive Bladder
I would not recommend it. I suggest not drinking alcohol, especially if an underlying health problem is present or if medications to manage overactive bladder are being used. Talk with your health care provider to see what he or she recommends if you have questions.
In my opinion, the benefits of drinking are outweighed by the risks for most people who have an overactive bladder.
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Foods To Eat And Avoid With Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder diet is something that people who suffer from sensory urgency can benefit from. Those with sensory urgency find that certain foods trigger their overactive bladder. While an OAB diet is different for each person, we do have a general sense of foods that irritate the bladder. For instance, case studies show that tomato-based foods, spicy foods, certain fruits, and caffeinated food items tend to irritate the bladder. Artificial sweeteners can also have a negative impact on the bladder. At the same time, food items such as lean meats that are lightly seasoned and fresh vegetables appear to help calm the bladder.
Heres a list of more specific foods that seem to trigger OAB symptoms:
- Citrus fruits, such as grapefruit and oranges
- Chocolate, in bars, cookies, and other desserts
- Tomatoes or tomato sauce
- Chilies, wasabi, or any hot sauce
- Aspartame, saccharin, and other artificial sweeteners
- Potato chips, salted nuts, and other salty foods
Low citrus fruits, such as pears, apples, and bananas, are good for those who suffer from OAB. So are foods with fiber. While raw onions bother a lot of people with bladder issues, some say that cooked onions are a food they can eat without experiencing any symptoms. Brown rice, beans, carrots, peas, and nuts have are also good food choices for people who have overactive bladder.
Supplements For Adequate Nutrition
Developing a diet free of irritants can take some trial and error. During this time, its important to get the recommended amount of daily nutrients.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your individual nutritional needs. They can help determine the appropriate supplements for you.
You may find it beneficial to supplement your diet with a daily multivitamin or nutrition drinks. Popular nutrition drinks include shakes, such as Boost or Ensure, and formulas, such as ProNourish.
Check in with your doctor before adding a supplement or nutrition drink to your regimen. Certain ingredients may interfere with your medications or otherwise negatively impact your overall health.
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More Natural Ways To Manage Your Overactive Bladder
1. Control Your Weight
One way to take stress of your bladder is to lose some weight. The Mayo Clinic has discussed the idea that those who are overweight have a bigger risk of developing stress incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when a person loses control of their urine during physical activity. This is from their having weakened pelvic muscles. This can happen during coughing, laughing or working out. Women most commonly suffer from this type of incontinence.
2. Have Bladder Training
This is the most popular OAB treatment that doesnt use medication. Bladder training will affect the way you use the bathroom. Instead of going whenever you feel you need to, you go at set times during the day. This is called scheduled voiding and it can help you learn to control the urge to go. You start by waiting a few minutes before going and then increase to an hour between visits and further from there.
3. Do Pelvic Floor Exercises
4. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another natural treatment for OAB. A study of 20 subjects spanned over ten weeks. Each received 30 minutes of acupuncture in targeted points. With the study, over 75% of those with IDI, or Idiopathic Detrusor Instability, were cured of symptoms. IDI is a common cause of urinary tract storage trouble such as urge incontinence, frequency and urgency.
5. Stop Smoking