Dietary Tips for Urinary Incontinence

People who suffer from urinary incontinence should consider their current diet and eating habits,  because a healthy diet can have a big impact on your incontinence symptoms. What you eat and drink can end up affecting the frequency and duration of your toilet visits. The effect of these foods can differ widely dependant on the user and any pre existing conditions, with that in mind the treatments and cures will also differ depending on the user and level of intake. One of the most common causes of urinary incontinence is the intake of Diuretics, which increase the frequency of urination. Coffee and tea are diuretics and may cause urinary incontinence, along with alcoholic drinks. Here is a list of food or drink that may cause or increase your level of urinary incontinence:

• Highly spicy foods and raw onions
• Acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits
• Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
• Carbonated beverages, such as seltzer and soda
• Dairy products
• Artificial sweeteners
• Heavy, rich foods

To help manage your incontinence symptoms Incontinence Choice sell a range of Incontinence Products One of the results of poor eating habits and diet is obesity, being overweight puts pressure on your bladder increasing bladder stress which can lead to urinary incontinence. So a healthy diet is paramount to reducing strain on your bladder. Included in your diet, and eating habits should be some of the following;

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially earlier in the day. Dehydration results in the body making less urine, but it’s strong and concentrated, which can irritate the bladder and worsen your urinary incontinence. If you increase your fluid intake, you will make more urine, but it will be diluted.
• Avoid uncooked onions. Most people find that raw onions cause an overactive bladder. Cooking them may be easier on your system. You also may be better off using mild onions, such as shallots or sweet onions.
• Go for decaf. You don’t have to give up your coffee or tea, just opt for those without caffeine. “Caffeine is a direct irritant to the bladder and it also creates a diuretic effect, so you want to drink decaffeinated beverages,” Griebling says. Chocolate has caffeine as well, so if you find caffeine causes you to go more often, avoid hot chocolate and chocolate candy. Watch the sodas you choose, too — look for caffeine-free versions. Remember soda has carbonation, and you may find that carbonation irritates your bladder as well.
• Add some fruit juices. Drinking apple, grape, cherry, and cranberry juices will make your urine more acidic, which can prevent the spread of bacteria in your urinary tract. Bacteria can cause urinary tract infections, which usually cause frequent urges to urinate. However, Griebling warns: Watch the sugar content; juices can be high in calories, and you want to maintain a healthy weight to manage incontinence. Also, don’t drink these juices if their acidity irritates your bladder and causes you to go to the bathroom more.

Take a fresh look at your eating habits and discover what works for you. You may find that eating a healthy diet, drinking the right beverages, and avoiding foods that irritate your bladder will reduce the number of trips you have to take to the bathroom. For the best diagnosis incontinencechoice.co.uk always recommends you speak to your local GP or  a healthcare professional. NHS.uk offers a healthcare service finder to give you information on your nearest health centre and the services it offers. The NHS also run a number of incontinence clinics, with specialist teams providing support and medical advice for people with bowel or bladder incontinence. To find out more about these services, please contact your local hospital. Also available from the NHS are a number of guides on eating healthy and the best foods to help maintain a active lifestyle, for more information please visit the NHS Good Food Page.