Although many people shudder at the thought of missing their morning cup of coffee, if you've recently been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, you may have no other option but to skip that cup of rich-smelling mocha posthaste. Although caffeine doesn't cause a urinary tract infection, it can worsen your UTI symptoms and should be avoided throughout the course of your treatment period.
Background
When a urinary tract infection develops, bacteria normally present in the rectal area enter the urinary tract and secure themselves to the walls of your urethra or bladder. These bacteria proliferate and may produce an assortment of symptoms as they take over your urinary tract, including bad-smelling or discolored urine, the urge to urinate more frequently, intense irritation or burning while voiding and abdominal pain or pressure. Urinary tract infections are quite common in women, especially those who are sexually active, and they also may appear in men, particularly those who need catheters or who suffer from an abnormally formed urinary tract.
Effects
When it comes to affecting the urinary tract, caffeine operates as a stimulant, which could result in more painful symptoms if you're suffering from a urinary tract infection. Once bacteria cause a urinary tract infection, the tissue in your urinary tract becomes increasingly raw and irritated. After caffeine enters your urinary tract, it may stimulate bladder contractions, which can become extremely painful when they're causing movement of inflamed, UTI-infected bladder tissue. Just as importantly, caffeine operates as a diuretic, which means that it could increase your urge to urinate while also increasing the concentration of the urine, another side effect that can exacerbate UTI symptoms.
Recommendations
If you notice symptoms of a urinary tract infection or are undergoing treatment for a UTI, avoid drinking coffee, recommends Michael Murray, naturopathic doctor and coauthor of "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Other drinks that commonly contain caffeine include hot tea, sweet tea and sodas. Although some carbonated beverages don't contain caffeine, plan on avoiding them all anyway, since the carbonation may increase potential urinary tract irritation. Alcoholic beverages also have a history of causing bladder irritation, so avoid them, as well, says Dr. Marianne Legato, a professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and coauthor of "What Women Need to Know." Replace these beverages with plain water, which thins out your urine and helps to flush the offending bacteria from your urinary tract system.
Warnings
Never consume caffeine pills while experiencing signs of a urinary tract infection, since these pills contain extremely hefty doses of caffeine and could drastically worsen symptoms. Always consult your doctor if you notice an increase in the severity of your UTI symptoms, especially if the changes develop after you've started antibiotic treatment. In certain cases, severe urinary tract infections may spread to the kidneys, causing a potentially serious kidney infection, which may produce vomiting, nausea, fatigue, fever and pain in the upper torso.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Traction Infection in Adults
- "Treatment of the Postmenopausal Woman"; Dr. Rogerio Lobo; 2007
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2006
- "Campbell's Physiology Notes for Nurses"; John Campbell, RN; 2002
- "Encyclopedia of Healing Foods"; Michael Murray, N.D., et al.; 2005
- "What Women Need to Know"; Dr. Marianne Legato, et al.; 2005
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