Your bladder is constantly at work, although you only become aware of it when you experience the urge to urinate. However, if irritation or inflammation occurs, you might experience an overactive bladder and incontinence, symptoms that are hard to ignore. In addition to medication, your doctor might suggest a modified diet for bladder problems.
Common Bladder Disorders
According to The National Women's Health Information Center, certain medical conditions cause irritation and inflammation of the bladder. For instance, interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome, is characterized by chronic pain and an increased urge to urinate. Other conditions that affect bladder health include kidney stones, endometriosis and frequent urinary tract infections. While there is no sure-fire cure for any of these conditions, diet might influence the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Fluid Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic website, drinking too much of anything is likely to make your bladder work overtime and result in frequent trips to the bathroom. You should break up your fluid intake throughout the day, including two 8-ounce glasses of beverage with meals and one 8-ounce glass between meals. If the call to nature causes you to rise from bed several times each night, plan to drink the majority of your fluids during the morning and afternoon. Drinking too little also can cause problems since this promotes the production of concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder. Over the course of a 24-hour period, try to drink at least 60 ounces of fluids, especially water.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods and beverages might irritate the bladder. The list of irritants varies from one individual to the next, but the usual suspects include spicy foods and highly acid foods and beverages such as tomato-based products and citrus juices. Coffee, tea, carbonated drinks and alcohol also often cause bladder irritation. Some people experience sensitivity to chocolate, corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
Supplement Support
Daniel Khouri, M.D. and Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D., medical advisers for the website UrologyChannel, say that certain botanical therapies might help to relieve symptoms, particularly those associated with overactive bladder. Infusions of marshmallow root, horsetail and cleavers, for instance, are traditional treatments for bladder problems. Marshmallow contains a significant amount of mucilage to soothe irritated tissue, while horsetail is reputed to help prevent urinary tract infections. According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," cleavers increases urine output as well as the elimination of waste material and toxins from lymph glands. Talk to your doctor before trying any herbal remedies.
Additional Considerations
Check with your doctor before modifying your diet or using herbs to address bladder problems, especially if you have a chronic medical condition, are taking medications or are pregnant or nursing. You might also wish to consult an allergist about undergoing an elimination diet, if food sensitivities are suspected.
References
- WomensHealth: Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
- UrologyChannel: Overactive Bladder (OAB) Alternative Treatment
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Fleming, Chief Editor, et al; 2000
