Limiting or eliminating certain foods and beverages may stop frequent bathroom breaks
Overactive bladder, a form of urinary incontinence, is caused by a sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of your bladder. Though the condition is most common in older adults, it can happen at any age and is not a normal part of aging.
Treatment for overactive bladder can include Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscle, medication and, in rare cases, surgery. But some experts encourage sufferers to avoid foods that may exacerbate urinary urgency. Here are five foods you might want to cross off your list if you have symptoms of overactive bladder:
Citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes, are acidic and can irritate your bladder. If you can’t eliminate citrus fruits entirely, try cutting back.
Though it might not seem like a burger without those onion slices, onions can irritate the bladder and increase the urge to urinate. If you simply must have onions, cook them first, which might make them easier on your bladder. Or try a milder onion, like shallot.
Caffeine can act as a diuretic, causing you to produce more urine, so limit caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks, colas) or switch to decaf versions.
Sure, you love wasabi, some Thai food and screaming-hot salsa, but some spicy foods irritate the bladder. Tamping down the heat may keep you from being a bathroom frequent flier, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a bland diet. It may take a little experimentation to learn how spicy you can be without increasing urinary urgency.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners may contribute to overactive bladder symptoms. If you suspect the little blue or pink packets could be increasing your bathroom breaks, stop using them for a few days to see how your bladder responds.
