The caffeine found in soda and other similar beverages can have a large impact on your body, especially your bladder. If you're prone to developing bladder infections, it's a good idea to refrain from consuming caffeine. Sometimes, other untreated infections, such as a urinary tract infection, can spread and cause a bladder infection. See your health care provider if you think you may have a bladder infection.
How Soda Affects Your Bladder
Soda acts as a diuretic because of the amount of caffeine that it contains. This stimulates your bladder and gives you a sense of urgency to urinate, which can be irritating to your bladder. It's not just the caffeine from soda that can irritate your bladder and cause an infection, but the caffeine in coffee, tea and other drinks can have the same impact.
Urinary Tract Infections
If you develop a urinary tract infection and do not seek proper treatment right away, the infection can spread to your bladder. Bacteria causes UTIs; the bacteria can travel up your urethra until it reaches your bladder and causes an infection. Most health care providers treat such infections with antibiotics. Sometimes, physicians may prescribe additional medications to numb your urethra to ease the pain when you urinate.
Other Causes
If you frequently get bladder infections, you may have a chronic condition. A variety of reasons can cause chronic bladder infections from bladder or kidney stones, estrogen levels during menopause, recurrent bacterial infections or from an abnormally shaped urinary tract or abnormal urinary function. Sometimes, genetics can play a role in the development of bladder infections. Your doctor may perform a wide array of testing, such as a CT scan, a urine culture or a cystoscopy, to determine the cause of your bladder infections.
Treatment
In addition to taking medications prescribed or recommended by your health care provider, you can reduce the risk of developing a bladder infection by taking other precautions. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or unsweetened cranberry juice, and urinate frequently to help flush bacteria from your bladder and urinary tract. Avoid taking baths and make sure that you wipe from front to back. Use a mild soap with plenty of water when cleaning your genitals and avoid using feminine deodorant sprays or powder products on your genital area. If your bladder infections are persistent, long-term antibiotics of a low-dose may be the only way to treat a chronic condition.
