An overactive bladder (OAB) can cause a lot of problems, regardless if it’s stress incontinence, prostate issues (in men), or urge incontinence. It is suggested to keep a food and drink diary to help notice patterns in your condition and what you are putting in. Because after all, what goes in has to come out, right?
A Yahoo! Health article lists some foods and beverages that may be increasing your problems with OAB. More explanation is detailed in the article listed below for reference, but here are the things you may want to avoid:
• Oranges, grapefruit, and pineapple (also in juice form) – are possible known bladder irritants; some good replacements may be non-acidic fruits like banana, apple, pears, and berries.
• Chocolate – caffeine is a known bladder irritant, so it may be better, if you’ve got to have it, to instead eat dark chocolate.
• Coffee and black tea (even decaf) – it’s a diuretic, and will have you going to the bathroom more often, so skip coffee, and if you need tea, go herbal.
• Hot sauce, chili peppers, and wasabi – may irritate the lining of the bladder, so try other herbs, garlic and spices in place of all that hot stuff.
If you think you may have a problem with OAB, make an appointment to visit with your doctor. There are treatments available that could stop the cycle for you.
Do you have a question about your health? Check out EmpowHER’s pages. Sign-up, post a question, share your story, connect with other women in our groups and community, and feel EmpowHERed!
Resource:
Yahoo! Health: 10 Foods to Avoid If You Have An Overactive Bladder
EmpowHER: Overactive Bladder Got You On the Run?
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.