Urinary tract infections are common yet painful infections that at least half of women are likely to experience at some point, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While you will need to visit with your physician to receive treatment for a urinary tract infection, changes in your diet can help alleviate symptoms. With urinary tract infections, you should avoid Coca-Cola and other caffeine products.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common bacterial infections that can affect any portion of your urinary tract system -- including your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning during urination, the frequent urge to urinate, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine, bloody urine, abdominal pain, voiding little at a time, chills, fever and nausea. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that women are 10 times more likely than men to develop a UTI. Other risk factors for a UTI include being sexually active, pregnancy, diabetes, holding your urine for extended periods of time and having a history of UTIs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
UTIs usually do not pose a threat to your health, provided you seek treatment. If you believe you have a UTI, visit your doctor's office. Medical attention is required for successful treatment of a UTI. A medical history, urine specimen and physical examination will help to confirm your UTI. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic. You may be prescribed medication for pain or instructed to take over-the-counter pain medication. You will also be advised to drink plenty of fluids.
Coca-Cola
The caffeine content of Coca-Cola products is why you should avoid Coca-Cola and other sodas while you have a UTI. According to MayoClinic.com, caffeine is an irritant that can aggravate the walls of your bladder. Caffeine is also a stimulant. The stimulant properties of Coca-Cola cause your bladder to contract and your body to release urine. This can cause an increase in your symptoms -- such as pain, burning and the constant urge to urinate. MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding soda and other beverages that contain caffeine until your infection has cleared.
Alternative Drinks
Drinking plenty of caffeine-free beverages while you have a UTI is beneficial in helping your infection to clear. Water and non-stimulant drinks can help naturally flush your urinary tract system of bacteria, which can help eliminate infection from your body by means of urination. Water also helps to dilute urine, making it less painful to void. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends consuming six to eight glasses of filtered water daily while you have a UTI. The University of Michigan Health System recommends cranberry juice. The antioxidant properties of cranberries can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder. Consume 4 to 10 oz. of cranberry juice daily to help reduce symptoms and prevent UTIs.
