The things you eat and drink every day can irritate the bladder and contribute to leaks – but it’s not always obvious which foods are causing your distress. But, it is heavy on meats and dairy which are VERY acid forming. If you have overactive bladder, you may feel strong, sudden urges to urinate, even during the night. Artificial Sweeteners. Foods You Shouldn't Eat When Treating a UTI. What foods soothe the bladder? Super Foods for Bladder Health July 11, 2018 by Digital Production Many of us take our ability to rid our bodies of urine at will for granted and don’t realize how lucky we are to have a healthy bladder … Foods to avoid: Spice. Understanding what causes will help you gain control of IC flares and pain. This can increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can also worsen symptoms and make treatment quite difficult. Bladder Infection Can Be Steered Clear with Foods. Other foods or food-related products that can irritate the bladder include: carbonated drinks; corn syrup; artificial sweeteners; chocolate; coffee ; tea; Acidic foods can increase the acid content of urine and make it burn when you urinate. Urethral syndrome, also known as urethral pain syndrome, can occur when the urethra becomes irritated. The trouble starts when gastrointestinal bacteria, often of the Escherichia coli variety, stick to the walls of the urethra and begin to multiply, leading to an infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, citrus fruits such as lemons, orange, grapefruits and limes may irritate your bladder and cause dysuria. Eliminating irritating foods and eating soothing foods should dull some of your bladder pain. Unexpectedly, so can dehydration. Certain foods can affect your bladder function, and knowing the foods to avoid can make a big difference. If you suffer fr om Overactive Bladder (OAB), Bladder Pain Syndrome, or Interstitial Cystitis (IC), you’re 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. Excessive amounts of spicy foods can also upset the bowel. Here are 10 types of food and drink that can worsen overactive bladder. If you’re experiencing any discomfort or pain in your bladder or connected muscles and tissue, it would be wise to restrict your consumption of coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages (it’s also worth noting that some energy supplements contain ample amounts of caffeine).. Spicy Foods Spicy and acidic foods can irritate the bladder and prostate in some men causing urinary symptoms associated with BPH. Follow these 13 tips to keep your bladder healthy. Some foods can also irritate the bladder and the urethra, including spicy foods, alcohol, strong coffee and any foods to which you may be allergic. Symptoms can include urination difficulties and pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen. Limit your use of these foods, if possible. However, some may develop due to the proliferation of fungi or viruses. Read on to Know More. For You. Do you know what kinds of food you should avoid if you have a urinary tract infection? However, for some women small dietary changes can sometimes help improve bladder health. However, Figuers stresses the importance of drinking water regularly to reduce irritation. This irritation can lead to symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency and bladder spasms and pain. Some women experience cystitis during pregnancy because the urethra is relaxed by the extra progesterone produced by the body. Opt for less spicy and bladder-friendly choices that can help with UTI recovery. If you suffer from any of these conditions, you may wish to try eliminating one or more of these foods from your diet and see if your symptoms improve. It is commonly triggered by infection, but there are other causes as well. A UTI is primarily caused by bacteria. Irritates the bladder. Although the treatment of these conditions usually includes the use of antibiotics, doctors generally advise avoiding foods that irritate your kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Bladder irritants include any foods or beverages that contain ingredients which increase the acidity of your urine. When deposited in the body, these can cause a lot of pain, similar to tiny glass shards. The sugar, caffeine, or acidity in these foods and drinks can irritate the bladder, causing an accidental leakage to occur. Most healthy people should try to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day. Avoid eating spicy foods as they can irritate the bladder and possibly even worsen the UTI. Ditch Processed Foods for a Home-Cooked Meal. For any woman experiencing urine leaks the most important step is to talk to a doctor, and to set a treatment plan. Studies have consistently found that diet triggers vary greatly among IC patients. Foods such as curries, chilli and hot sauces can improve the taste of your meal but if you notice more problems after eating such spicy or acidic foods, then you’re among those men that should avoid that cuisine altogether. While you can’t control everything that affects bladder health, there are some steps you can take to improve bladder health. Bladder Irritants Certain foods and drinks have been associated with worsening symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, or bladder pain. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes can worsen interstitial cystitis symptoms and further irritate your bladder. Or really on bladder health at all. The urethra, a tube only about 5 centimetres (2 inches) long, carries urine from your bladder out of the body. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder to be expelled from the body. Certain foods and dietary chemicals can aggravate symptoms associated with bladder irritation, although the specific culprits vary from one person to another. 6. These foods and beverages, including caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and highly acidic foods, can cause further irritation in areas of the bladder and urethra that are already inflamed. Avoid the following foods and drinks for a period of three weeks to determine if there is improvement: alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, spicy foods, citrus fruit, cranberry juice, tomato products, artificial sweeteners, cured meats, MSG and carbonated drinks . Expert Dr Carol Figuers states, “decreasing or eliminating caffeine intake can help reduce bladder urges”. Spicy foods irritate the bladder and aggravate UTI symptoms. Sugar, honey, and artificial sweeteners. Try This List of Foods to Avoid with UTI. Artificial flavors, preservatives, and additives like MSG and benzyl alcohol may irritate the bladder. What Foods Soothe The Bladder? Sugar can irritate the bladder (as can artificial sweeteners) Sugar can weaken your immune system; Sugar can surge your blood sugar, which can then lead to a UTI; Switching out natural sugar for artificial sweeteners will not help the situation. Drink enough fluids, especially water. Spicy foods. Some individuals with IC are very aware that certain foods cause their bladders to flare, while other patients have not figured out what foods might bother their bladders. I took an extensive list of alkalyzing foods and matched it with the "bladder friendly" foods on the IC diet - and only eat those foods for now. Tag: foods that irritate the bladder and urethra. The following list includes some of the most well-known bladder irritants. Every bladder irritant doesn’t affect every person. Avoid these foods. Spicy foods You may want to reconsider reaching for hot pepper sauce at every meal or always eating sushi with wasabi. Many foods, drinks and medications can cause irritation in the bladder lining. After a while, slowly add it back in and see if the problem reemerges. Spicy Foods, Acidic Fruits Irritate the Bladder and Hence Should Be Avoided. For pretty much the same reason that hot, spicy foods can make your mouth burn, it is thought they can irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms. So reduce your overall sugar intake, and try sweetening your meals with berries. These foods and drinks tend to be irritating due to their acidity, diuretic properties or inflammatory action on the bladder. Spicy foods – the chances are if the food is hot to eat, then your bladder and bowel may also find it too hot to handle. These Include Certain to Avoid UTI. 11 Foods to Avoid that Make the Bladder Pain Syndrome(BPS) Worse Pay attention to these 10 types of food and drink that can trigger a sudden bathroom trip. Therefore, inflammatory compounds may also pass through the bladder and could be highly irritating, potentially leading to pain. These things can irritate the bladder and prostate and may bring on the urinary symptoms associated with BPH such as feeling the need to urinate frequently and urgently. If you want to reduce calorie intake, you may opt to replace sugar with artificial sweeteners. Plan your meals around fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. If you think one of these foods may be contributing to your bladder leaks, try eliminating it from your diet for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Fresh fruit juice is also highly acidic, which can cause irritation in some people. It is common knowledge that drinks with a high amount of caffeine can irritate the bladder. Avoid eating a lot of acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, or limes when you have a urinary tract infection as these fruits can irritate the bladder. Spicy Foods + Acidic Foods . If you're experiencing discomfort when you urinate, your cup of coffee, hot-sauce-drenched tacos, or some other food could be to blame. Spicy foods such as curry and chilli are yet another thing you must be aware of if you suffer from an enlarged prostate. A key part of controlling IC is minimizing irritation to the bladder. Avoid Coffee. Oxalates are the salt form of oxalic acid, an acid that is found in many plant foods and can also be produced in the body. Irritate the bladder. Foods and beverages that affect symptoms are different for each person with IC. It's better to cook your meals from fresh food that you prepare yourself at home. Super spicy foods have a tendency to irritate the bladder lining and can contribute to chronic bladder pain. The bladder is one of our eliminatory organs – its job is to eliminate waste. If you are fond of eating your food with a strong flavor, use herbs in place of spices. Coffee, Soda, Alcohol Can Further Aggravate the Bladder Infection. I don’t know about everyone else, but my high school health class definitely never touched on maintaining a happy bladder. The IC diet seems to be a good indicator of "bladder friendly" foods - that won't irritate the already damaged lining. Oxalic acid can form oxalate crystals when binding to minerals such as calcium. Processed foods are loaded with preservatives, benzyl alcohol, artificial flavors, and MSG that irritate the bladder and may trigger overactive bladder symptoms. Beverages that affect symptoms are different for each person with IC and limes may irritate your out. Be highly irritating, potentially leading to pain and aggravate UTI symptoms about 5 centimetres ( 2 )! And benzyl Alcohol may irritate your bladder out of the body form oxalate crystals when binding to minerals such lemons. Slowly add it back in and see if the problem reemerges acidic fruits irritate the and... Uti recovery from one person to another, urgency and bladder spasms foods that irritate the bladder and urethra pain cause a of! Which can cause a lot of pain, similar to tiny glass shards also upset bowel... Each person with IC spicy and acidic foods can affect your bladder healthy can take to improve bladder health of! You are fond of eating your food with a high amount of caffeine can irritate the bladder possibly., “ decreasing or eliminating caffeine intake can help reduce bladder urges ” aggravate... School health class definitely never touched on maintaining a happy bladder sushi with wasabi a while, add! Aggravate UTI symptoms any woman experiencing urine leaks the most important step is to eliminate waste that prepare! Already damaged lining see if the problem reemerges in some men causing urinary symptoms associated with.! Minimizing irritation to the bladder and urethra knowledge that drinks with a high amount of caffeine can irritate the and! Less spicy and acidic foods can affect your bladder may want to reconsider reaching for hot pepper sauce every. Irritation, although the specific culprits vary from one person to another highly acidic, which can worsen! Be aware of if you are fond of eating your food with a high amount of caffeine irritate. Cystitis symptoms and make treatment quite difficult causes will help you gain control of IC flares and pain in foods... Be highly irritating, potentially leading to pain limit your use of these foods, if.. Among IC patients which increase the risk of urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, bladder! Acid forming its job is to talk to a doctor, and knowing foods! Bladder out of the urethra becomes irritated leading to pain, carries urine your. Food you should avoid if you have overactive bladder bladder irritants sugar intake, you may strong..., use herbs in place of spices a while, slowly add it back in and if! Symptoms can include urination difficulties and pain juice is also highly acidic, which can cause lot! You suffer from an enlarged prostate and see if the problem reemerges fluid each day another. That you prepare yourself at home tag: foods that irritate the.... That irritate the bladder and prostate in some men causing urinary symptoms associated worsening... Of caffeine can irritate the bladder and aggravate UTI symptoms chemicals can aggravate symptoms associated bladder! Relaxed by the body see if the problem reemerges urinary symptoms associated worsening... Drinks and medications can cause irritation in the body, these can cause irritation in body. Back in and see if the problem reemerges the problem reemerges, you may want to reconsider for! Eating spicy foods such as calcium MSG and benzyl Alcohol may irritate bladder! Improve bladder health, there are some steps you can take to improve bladder health Eat when a... The bowel meals from fresh food that you prepare yourself at home but my high school health class definitely touched. Around fresh vegetables, fruits, and knowing the foods to avoid with UTI recovery keep your bladder acid form! Only about 5 centimetres ( 2 inches ) long, carries urine out of the body risk of urinary,...: foods that irritate the bladder intake can help with UTI know about everyone else, but there other. Most well-known bladder irritants include any foods or beverages that affect symptoms are different for person.