An overactive bladder results in a number of uncomfortable symptoms like frequent urination, increased sense of urgency and leakage. This problem can interfere with everyday living. Common treatments include bladder training and medications. Making some dietary changes can also go a long way in controlling symptoms. See your doctor before making any drastic dietary changes.
Diet and Bladder
The foods and beverages you consume play a large role in overactive bladder. Many items can irritate the bladder, which leads to the aforementioned symptoms. Making an effort to avoid these foods and drinks will form the cornerstone of management.
While many foods and beverages have been identified as worsening symptoms of OAB, the exact reasons why remain unclear, notes Mayoclinic.com, and different people have different reactions. For this reason, you should keep a diary that tracks what and when you eat and drink, and the incidence of symptoms. Use the diary to help identify your own personal triggers, and discuss them with your doctor.
Importance of Water
While it might seem counterintuitive to increase fluid intake for a problem like overactive bladder, it can actually help. You just need to make some modifications to how you drink.
Inadequate hydration makes urine more concentrated, which leads to that uncomfortable sense of urgency and more frequent urination, explains Mayoclinic.com. Dehydration also leads to constipation, which can worsen OAB. Merck.com explains that when stool backs up in the intestines, it can increase pressure on the bladder.
The National Association for Incontinence names water the ideal beverage for OAB and suggests you should drink six to eight 8-oz. glasses daily. The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation suggests drinking most of your water before 6 p.m. to avoid having to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Mayoclinic.com suggests drinking no more than two 8 oz. glasses with meals and sipping on an 8 oz. glass between meals.
Problematic Beverages
Caffeine can prove problematic for OAB sufferers. It raises frequency of urination, causes bladder spasms and increases bladder pressure. If you do drink coffee, limit it to morning and afternoon. Alcohol also has diuretic effects. Tea, carbonated drinks and fruit juices, particularly those made with citrus fruits, can also irritate the bladder.
Problematic Foods
Mayoclinic.com explains that some foods -- such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and tomato-based products, spicy foods and chocolate -- are known to worsen symptoms of OAB. Artificial sweeteners like saccharin and sorbitol can also worsen symptoms, explains the Mayo Clinic. Read food labels and avoid products that contain artificial sugars.
Recommended Diet
The University of Maryland Medical Center makes some recommendations for foods to include in your diet and notes they may help with symptoms. Eat lots of fiber-rich foods to combat inflammation. These include whole grains, beans and all fruits and vegetables. Antioxidant-rich foods might also help -- particularly rich sources include peppers, berries, leafy greens, broccoli, cherries, tomatoes and squash. Magnesium-rich foods such as avocado, soy, oats, brown rice, potatoes and bananas might also help.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Urinary Incontinence
- National Association for Continence: Overactive Bladder Treatment
- The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation: Overactive Bladder Diet
- Mayo Clinic: Bladder Control Problems in Women: Lifestyle Strategies for Relief
- Merck: Urinary Incontinence is the Uncontrollable Loss of Urine
