Does Sugar Irritate The Bladder

Other Tips For Living With Oab

In addition to limiting these foods and figuring out which ones irritate your bladder, there are other simple ways to relieve bladder irritation. Here are a few!

• Exercise. If youre looking for more ways to promote bladder control, this exercise routine may help you strengthen your bladder muscles and regain control!
• Empty your bladder twice. If you often feel the urge to go right after youve emptied your bladder, consider trying to empty twice. It may take a little longer but wait a few seconds after emptying the first time and try to empty your bladder again.
• Keep a bladder diary! While cutting out foods, record which ones are irritating and which ones arent. Keep track of how often you use the restroom throughout the day and which foods youve eaten that day to see which cause you irritation.
• If you also haveincontinence from OAB, try aprobiotic! This keeps your microbiome healthy and balanced and can soothe bladder irritation as well asprevent UTIs!

Dont Be Surprised If Your Doctor Doesnt Rush You Into Treatment

Urinary tract infections can be tricky in older age. Theyre not always as easy to spot or treat as in youth. And the decades-long approach to treatment is changing. Weve been hasty in using antibiotics, and were learning there are significant consequences that can range from side effects of medication to infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, says Dr. Helen Chen, a geriatrician at Harvard-affiliated Hebrew Rehabilitation Center.

Alcohol Caffeinated And/or Carbonated Drinks

Wine, beer, coffee, Coca-Colaall of your favorite drinks are unfortunately not your bladders favorites. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which means they increase urine production by your kidneys. The increase in urine volume may strain your bladder if youre already have bladder problems.

If you have urinary retention, this may mean you need to self-catheterize more often. If you have urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence, these drinks may worsen your symptoms.

If you have a sensitive bladder, or an overactive bladder, carbonated drinks can trigger the frequent urge to go.

Bladder-friendly tip: just drink water! It is the healthiest drink of all! If the thought of drinking water all holiday season is unbearable to you, allow yourself to alternate between water and some of your favorite drinks. Remember, those tasty drinks are supposed to be occasional treats, not to make up your entire fluid intake.

Recommended Reading: Where Can I Check My Blood Sugar

Are Sweeteners Any Better

If youre trying hard to limit your sugar intake, you might assume that artificial sweeteners are a suitable alternative. However, especially when it comes to consuming diet fizzy drinks whilst trying to manage cystitis, this might not be the best approach.

All types of fizzy juice should be avoided. It seems that the acidity, fizziness, added sugars, sweeteners, and in some cases caffeine, arent a good combination and can easily give rise to unwanted inflammation and irritation down below.

Recommended Supplements For Ic

For the treatment of interstitial cystitis, supplements are a good option and can be used with or without prescriptive medicine. They are considered effective alternative medicine for IC treatment. In both situations, supplements are effective and can boost the immune system. But we suggest consulting with your physician if you are taking the supplements with prescription medicines.

IC supplements are formulated with compounds that help in reducing the pain, frequency, and urgency associated with interstitial cystitis. These compounds can be antacids, anti-inflammatory essential amino acids, mucopolysaccharides, and bioflavonoids that promote interstitial cystitis treatment.

So, here are the best supplements for interstitial cystitis.

Also Check: What Is The Safest And Healthiest Sugar Substitute

Can Eating Too Much Salt Cause A Urinary Tract Infection

According to the National Institutes of Health, urinary tract infections cause an estimated 8.3 million physician visits every year. Some people do not have any symptoms, while others may have to urinate a lot, but in small amounts, have a burning pain when they urinate, or have urine which has a strong smell or is pink.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Also Check: Pedialyte Good For Diabetics

Our Top 5 Tips For Practical Ways To Improve Bladder Health

Originally published on: July 7th, 2017. Last modified on October 11th, 2021

Did you know that for many people, incontinence issues can be vastly improved just by adjusting what we eat and drink?

The NHS estimates that there are around 14 million people who have bladder control problems and around 6.5 million people who suffer from poor bowel control and these are people of all ages incontinence in not an issue just for the elderly.

In this blog, we explore how what we eat and drink can affect our bladder and/or bowel. We offer tips on what foods cause bladder irritation and how the bladder can be calmed by avoiding these triggers.

Also Check: What Is Sugar Levels In Blood Test

How Common Is Bladder Cancer

Globally, approximately 1 in 100 men and 1 in 400 women will develop bladder cancer at some stage during their life. Bladder cancer rates vary considerably by region, being highest in Europe and North America, and in most regions bladder cancer is 3 to 4 times more common in men than in women. In the United States, the lifetime risk of bladder cancer is approximately 1 in 25 for men and 1 in 100 for women.1,2

The Links Between Sugar And Cystitis

Most of us can identify the uncomfortable feeling of cystitis: the urgency to urinate and the horrible burning feeling when you do go. But could your diet have something to do with it? If you have a sweet-tooth this could be having a bearing. Here, I explore why and what can be done to help.

Emma Thornton

Recommended Reading: What Can Cause High Blood Sugar Other Than Diabetes

How To Treat Frequent Urination Caused By Diabetes

Treating bladder problems stemming from diabetes is best approached by treating the disease as a whole.

Simply monitoring fluid intake or scheduling bathroom trips likely wont help much, as the major problem is excess blood sugar, not excess fluid.

If you do have diabetes, your doctor will come up with a treatment plan specifically for you. In general, common treatments for diabetes include:

Soothe Bladder Pain With These Foods

If you suffer from Overactive Bladder , Bladder Pain Syndrome, or Interstitial Cystitis , youre probably familiar with the feeling of discomfort and urgency that accompanies normal, everyday activities. One way to soothe bladder pain and control these symptoms is through your diet. Eliminating irritating foods and eating soothing foods should dull some of your bladder pain.

According to the IC Network, there are several foods that can affect your bladder symptoms and soothe bladder pain.

You May Like: How To Lower Blood Sugar After Cortisone Injection

Skip Citrusy Or Caffeinated Sodas Irritate The Bladder

Sodas in general have been found to irritate the bladder in people with chronic bladder inflammation, and they could aggravate symptoms in someone with a bladder infection. Citrus-flavored sodas and caffeinated sodas are the culprits when it comes to worsening urinary tract infection symptoms. So, when you’re struggling to overcome a bladder infection, stick to water or cranberry juice as your drink of choice.

Which Foods You Should Eat

Its important to replace the foods you cut out with foods that calm the bladder and provide the nutrients your body needs!

Below are the foods you can still enjoy that promote the calming of your bladder muscles:

• Protein-rich foods like chicken breast, turkey, fish, low fat beef, pork, and eggs.
• Foods rich in fiber are great for relieving constipation and reducing pressure on the bladder.
• Fruits and veggies other than citrus, strawberries, or pineapple. There are fruits that promote your bladder health such as bananas, apples, watermelon, coconut, and grapes are full of nutrients while also being gentle on your bladder. In addition, vegetables like lettuce, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, celery, and bell peppers can also serve to provide a nutrient-rich balanced diet and avoid irritating your bladder!
• Nuts are also a great way to incorporate protein and healthy fats into your diet while being non-irritating on your bladder.

Don’t Miss: What Do You Do For High Blood Sugar

Foods Your Bladder Will Fall In Love With

If you have a sensitive bladder, you will not have to miss out on tasty foods this fall. The key is to know which foods are more likely to irritate your bladder and which ones are more likely to soothe. In general, you will want to avoid coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato-based products, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods. Read on to learn about 10 bladder-friendly foods.

Utis And Hospital Stays

A hospital stay can put you at risk for a UTI, particularly if you need to use a catheter. This is a thin tube thats inserted through the urethra to carry urine out of the body. Bacteria can enter through the catheter and reach the bladder. This is more often a problem for older adults who require prolonged hospital stays or who live in long-term care facilities.

Also Check: Is There Sugar In Alcohol

Cool Down On Spicy Foods

Spicy foods may taste great, but as many of us have experienced, they often lead to an upset stomach. Like caffeine, spicy foods work to irritate the bladder lining, causing an increased urgency to rush to the bathroom. If you love spice, you dont have to eliminate it from your diet but do your best to cut back on foods such as spicy Mexican dishes, hot wings, and horseradish.

Try This: If you cant live without the flavor in your life, speak with your healthcare provider to see what you can use to replace spicy foods.

Healthy Steps: Urinary Tract Infectionsfirst Steps

For the greatest improvement with the fewest steps, do the following:

• Stop eating all sweeteners. Sugar impairs the bodys ability to fight infection. The worst sweets are likely to be those with high-fructose content such as soft drinks.
• Pure Encapsulations D-Mannose Powder. Take 1 teaspoon and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon three to four times daily. Continue for two to three days after symptoms have disappeared.
• Urinate fully to clean out the bladder. Urinate whenever you have the urge, or after any time you have pressure against the urethra, and be sure its a generous and well-diluted urination.

Dont Miss: Can You Have Intercourse While Having A Bladder Infection

Recommended Reading: How To Get Past Sugar Cravings

Artificial Sweeteners And Preservatives

The use of artificial sweeteners is somewhat controversial in nutrition literature. While these sugar substitutes may help control caloric intake, most nutritionists recommend using natural sweeteners, such as stevia, instead of artificial sweeteners.

Remember the big scare in the seventies when lab rats developed bladder cancer after being force-fed saccharin? Subsequent research on humans showed that artificial sweeteners did not result in increased incidences of bladder cancer. In fact, no studies on humans have linked the development of cancer to artificial sweeteners, but they can still irritate the bladder. This is because the body converts certain of these sweeteners to sugar alcohols during metabolism and because alcohol is a bladder irritant, this can lead to urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage.

Many food preservatives are also bladder irritants. Benzoic acid, a preservative in many fruit juices and carbonated beverages, is often combined with citric acid to improve flavor. Sulfites, or sulfur dioxide, are also acidic in nature and are used in wines, fruits, and vegetables to preserve color and flavor. When you put any form of acid in your body, the result may be an overactive bladder.

Foods That Are Great For Bladder Health

Your bladder is an important part of the urinary tract system. Its an essential pear-shaped organ made out of expandable components that holds on to urine until its expelled from your body. The bladder itself is quite impressive and is able to stretch from about two inches to over six inches long, depending on the amount of liquid its holding.1 In a typical person, your bladder will reach capacity when it fills up with about 16-24 ounces of urine, but most people start to feel the urge to urinate when it is only 25% full.1 At this point, your body starts to send nerve signals to the brain indicating that its time to find a restroom. When you proceed to use the bathroom, there is a mixture of voluntary and involuntary muscles working to lead urine from the bladder, through the urethra, and out of the body.

Your bladder works hand-in-hand with your kidneys to filter fluid and wastes from the bloodstream. They are the primary parts of the urinary tract system. The . When your bladder isnt functioning properly, it can lead to a number of problems.

Choosing Healthier Drinks

Different Types of Tea

Certain Fruit Juices

Lemon Enhanced Water

Also Check: What Is The Best Blood Sugar Testing Devices

Supplements To Avoid With Bladder Pain Syndrome

Interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome is associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, which causes pain, urgency, and frequency. The root cause of IC is unknown yet, however. Some supplements worsen the symptoms.

So, to effectively treat interstitial cystitis, keep an eye on following supplements that worsen the condition.

Diet Modification Can Reduce Bladder Symptoms & Pain

When researchers Robert Moldwin Md, Barbara Shorter RD & colleagues at Long Island University published the results of the first formal research study exploring the role of diet and interstitial cystitis , their results validated what thousands of patients have known for decades, that certain foods can and do trigger bladder frequency, urgency, pressure and/or pain. Ninety percent of the patients who participated in that ground breaking study reported food sensitivities, a number which has since been replicated in several IC studies. In 2013, the same research team demonstrated that men with chronic prostatitis share similar food sensitivities. There is no doubt that some foods hurt the bladder.

The excessive intake of caffeine is a strong risk factor. Researchers in Massachusetts found that men who drank an average of 2 cups of coffee per day were more likely to develop lower urinary tract symptoms and difficulty with urine storage while women developed progressively worse symptoms of urgency.

Diet modification is a cornerstone of bladder management and is recommended as a first line intervention in the AUA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of IC/BPS . Please note, however, that patients often have unique and individualized food tolerances.

Read Also: How Does Sugar Affect Arthritis

Identifying What Irritates Your Bladder

As you are learning which foods irritate your bladder, it can help to go through the list one at a time and then slowly reintroduce the food to see if it is an irritant. For instance, if you commonly eat citrus fruits, go a few days without eating them. Slowly reintroduce citrus fruit the next day and pay attention to how often you urinate or any discomfort in your bladder.

Everyone is different, so where one food may irritate you, it may be just fine for someone else. It may take a little bit of trial and error to see results and figure out what irritates your bladder!

Diet Tips To Prevent Uti

Staying hydrated is the most foolproof way to help prevent UTIs and relieve symptoms of an existing UTI. Aim for six to eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid per day, mostly water, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .

There is some evidence that cranberry products, like unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry pills, can help you ward off UTIs, per NIDDK. Cranberry products are high in PACs , and PACs make it harder for certain bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall, Bellin says. However, research on cranberry products preventive benefits is still ongoing, and there is certainly no evidence that they will treat an existing UTI.

Other potential preventive foods and supplements have less evidence on their side. Some say that probiotic foods like yogurt or probiotic supplements may help prevent UTIs by promoting the growth of good bacteria in the vagina and keeping bad bacteria at bay. Increasing your intake of vitamin C may also help by making your urine more acidic and less favorable to bacterial growth, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Just as nothing you can eat or drink is proven to cause UTIs, there are no dietary changes you can make to prevent them definitively.

Also Check: Causes Of Weak Bladder Control

Recommended Reading: Is 70 Blood Sugar Normal