Top Five Pitfalls to Steer Clear of With Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common issue impacting millions globally, where individuals struggle to control their bladder. While the condition itself is quite inconvenient, certain irritants can exacerbate it even more.
Some of these irritants might surprise you. For instance, the orange you eat with breakfast or the painkiller you take for a headache could worsen your urinary problems.
### Fizzy Drinks
For those with urinary incontinence, a can of soda can be more problematic than for others. The caffeine in soda increases urine production, making an already challenging situation worse. Moreover, studies show that carbonation can worsen incontinence symptoms. It’s advisable to avoid artificial foods, colorings, chemicals, and caffeine to see if your condition improves.
### Spicy Food
Spicy foods can irritate various body functions, including triggering acid reflux or worsening IBS. It’s not surprising that they also amplify incontinence symptoms. Many people with this condition experience a flare-up after eating spicy foods like chili peppers and curry. Though not everyone is affected, a significant number of sufferers report worsening symptoms after consuming spicy dishes.
### Diuretics
Diuretics help remove excess fluid from the body, but for someone struggling with bladder control, they can worsen the situation by overfilling the bladder and creating extra pressure. This increased stress on the bladder can lead to long-term impacts on its functionality.
### Citrus
Bladders can be very sensitive, and any change in pH levels can cause problems, especially for those with urinary incontinence. Citrus fruits and even cranberry juice, which is sometimes recommended for urinary issues, have high acidic content that can irritate the bladder. Avoiding these irritants might reduce the frequency of symptoms and save on the cost of incontinence supplies.
### Excedrin and Chocolate
Both Excedrin (a headache medicine) and chocolate also act as diuretics due to their caffeine content. Even the small amount of caffeine in milk chocolate can worsen incontinence symptoms. Caffeine acts as both a diuretic and an irritant, increasing the severity of symptoms. Reducing your caffeine intake might help manage your incontinence better.
By identifying and avoiding these irritants, individuals with urinary incontinence might find some relief and better control over their symptoms.
