5 Foods To Avoid If You Have An Overactive Bladder
If you have an overactive bladder, you often have an urgent and sudden need to urinate.
It is a condition caused by the involuntary contraction of the muscles surrounding this organ. As a result, a patient sometimes urinates without having control over it. This phenomenon is also known as incontinence.
This condition can be quite embarrassing. This is not only because it is difficult to control, but also because involuntary urination is of course very uncomfortable, especially in your social circle and working life.
Most worrisome, however, is that many people:
- ignore this problem
- not getting the right treatment
- can develop severe incontinence symptoms
- may develop other urinary tract disorders
That is why it is important to know what measures to take if you have an overactive bladder. For example, you need to know which foods can have unwanted effects when included in your diet.
In this article we will discuss some of the main causes of hyperactive bladder. In addition, we show you 5 foods that you should avoid if you have an overactive bladder.
What are possible causes of a hyperactive bladder?
A hyperactive bladder develops when the muscles around the organ start to contract involuntarily, even when there is not much urine in the bladder.
These contractions cause an urgent need to urinate. As a result, the patient sometimes has to urinate before he can reach the toilet in time.
Risk Factors
Losing bladder control sometimes has an unknown cause. However, there are several known causes associated with how the bladder functions:
- Drinking too much
- Neurological problems
- Diuretic Medications
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus
- enlarged prostate
- Constipation
- Deterioration of cognitive function due to aging
- Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol
- Bladder anomalies, such as tumors or kidney stones
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- hernias
- Tension and stress
Symptoms of an Overactive Bladder
If you suffer from an overactive bladder, your urination routine changes drastically. The main symptoms include:
- Urgent and sudden need to urinate.
- Involuntary leakage of urine.
- Having to urinate eight or more times a day.
- The need to urinate at night (nocturia).
Foods to Avoid If You Have an Overactive Bladder
Eating too much of some of these foods can irritate your bladder. That’s because the ingredients in this food can increase the irritation and inflammation of this organ.
Of course, not everyone will react in the same way. It is therefore important that you research which foods have negative effects on you.
It is therefore important that you (temporarily) limit your intake of foods, especially during treatment, because they can disrupt your recovery process.
1. Tomato
You can’t deny that tomatoes are one of the most nutritious foods out there. However, in the case of patients with an overactive bladder, this red fruit is not recommended.
- The tomato contains acids that can irritate your urinary tract and the tissues in your bladder. The diuretic effect also increases urine production and can lead to excessive urination.
- However, cooked tomatoes are usually even worse, as the acidity intensifies and sugar is added in many recipes.
2. Coffee
Coffee and foods containing caffeine can both have negative effects on people who have trouble controlling their bladder.
- This stimulant can cause hyperactive cerebral and nervous activity even when caffeine is consumed in small amounts.
- These effects disrupt the functioning of your bladder, making you feel like you need to urinate even though there is almost no urine in your bladder.
3. Spicy and pungent foods
Many spices contain nutrients that benefit your health. However, we do not recommend them if you have bladder or urinary tract problems. That’s because spicy and pungent foods can cause irritability in the tissues.
- Spicy foods can trigger an inflammatory response, forcing the bladder to work harder.
- It is better to avoid cayenne pepper, chili peppers, turmeric and other spicy spices in your diet.
4. Citrus juices
These juices are delicious and an important source of vitamin C. However, due to the high acid concentration, people with overactive bladders should avoid them.
- Their ingredients can increase irritation in your bladder, increasing contractions in this organ.
- In addition, they have a slight diuretic effect that can make you feel like you urgently need to excrete fluids. Of course, that increases the risk of involuntary urination.
5. Sugary Foods
All types of sugary foods, including those with artificial sweeteners, can have negative effects on the body when consumed in excess.
- Refined sugar can irritate the mucous membranes in your body and cause inflammation.
- As a result, you lose more control over the bladder and you may experience more pain or a burning sensation.
- So it is best to avoid pastries, sweets and other sugary foods.
If you have symptoms of overactive bladder, see your doctor. While there are factors that you can’t control, there are therapies and medications to help manage the symptoms. This way you can maintain your quality of life.