No food causes a bladder infection, but certain foods can cause bladder irritation. Sometimes bladder irritation can lead to inflammation and infection. If you suffer from chronic inflammation or frequent bladder infections, talk to your physician about possible solutions to resolve your condition. Urinary tract and bladder infections can lead to kidney infections.
Diet
Your diet plays an important part of bladder health. Food can cause bladder irritation, especially certain kinds of foods. Corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and foods or drinks high in sugar can cause bladder irritation, according to MayoClinic.com. Spicy foods, such as chili, burritos or spicy barbecue sauce, can also cause bladder irritation in addition to citrus and acidic foods. Certain drinks can have the same affect on your bladder, such as coffee, soda and tea.
Causes
Bladder infections are caused by bacterium, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate or from an abnormally narrow urethra. The bacterium enters your body through your urethra. The bacteria can enter the urethra in women via wiping the wrong way and through sexual intercourse; bacteria can get pushed near the opening of the urethra. Kidney stones can develop in both men and women, which can cause an infection in the bladder. Men who suffer from an enlarged prostate or an abnormally narrow urethra are more prone to develop bladder infections than are men who do not have the same problems. Women tend to develop bladder and urinary tract infections more often than men do because women have shorter urethras so the bacterium doesn't have to travel as far.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a bladder infection can include frequent urination, low-grade fever, cloudy urine with a foul odor, a strong or persistent urge to urinate and a burning or tingling sensation while you're urinating or right after you urinate. The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, but if you begin to see blood in your urine, seek prompt medical attention.
Treatment
Once your physician has diagnosed you with a bladder infection, the most likely treatment is antibiotics, according to Erik Castle, M.D. with the Mayo Clinic. Since the primary cause of a bladder infection is bacteria, it only makes sense to prescribe an antibiotic. Your doctor may also advise you to wear only cotton underwear, refrain from bubble baths and feminine hygiene spray and change your diet to exclude foods or beverages that could irritate your bladder until the infection has cleared.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Urinary Incontinence: Causes; Mayo Clinic Staff; June 2011
- FamilyDoctor.org; Urinary Tract Infections in Women; FamilyDoctor.org Editorial Staff; August 2010
- KidsHealth; Urinary Tract Infections; February 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Bladder Infections in Men: What are the Symptoms?; Erik P. Castle, M.D.; April 2010
- MedlinePlus; Interstitial Cystitis; June 2010
