Caffeine is a substance naturally found in coffee, tea, and chocolate and is artificially added to medications, energy drinks, and sodas to stimulate the central nervous system. Though it's intended to help you feel more alert, caffeine can have other effects on the body as well, including on the bladder in the form of incontinence.
Function
To understand incontinence and caffeine, you must first understand how the bladder works. The bladder is a hollow sac that expands to hold urine. A signal is sent from the nerves in your bladder to your brain telling you when your bladder is full and you need to urinate. Incontinence occurs when the nerves are damaged or simply do not tell the brain fast enough that you need to urinate, causing a sudden urge to urinate, leakage, or even a full and uncontrollable expulsion from the bladder, according to MedlinePlus.
Caffeine's Effects
Consuming caffeine can increase your chances of developing incontinence or can worsen your current symptoms. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it forces your body to expel urine more frequently. This can directly affect your incontinence symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. Though drinking too many fluids can worsen incontinence, drinking too few along with caffeinated ones can dehydrate your body, making urine more concentrated, which can irritate your bladder.
Substances Related to Caffeine
Though caffeine can be a major contributor to incontinence, it is not the only substance that can do so. Medications like sedatives, blood pressure pills and muscle relaxants could contribute, as can artificial sweeteners and highly acidic or spicy foods, says MayoClinic.com.
Other Incontinence Causes
The foods and drinks you consume may cause or worsen incontinence, but other conditions can do so as well. For instance, interstitial cystitis, neurological problems and certain cancers can cause incontinence. For a proper diagnosis, see your doctor. He will be able to get to the cause of your incontinence and devise the best treatment plan for you. If caffeine is to blame, reducing your intake or eliminating it from your diet may be the best option.
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