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Dietary Tips for Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder causes an immediate and urgent need to urinate due to a strong contraction of the bladder muscle. The condition is a type of urinary incontinence because it can cause uncontrolled loss of urine. About 16 to 17 percent of adults have overactive bladder, according to the National Association for Continence (NAFC), and the condition is more common in people over age 40. Changing certain aspects of your diet can help reduce problems with overactive bladder.

  1. Diary

    • You might want to begin a bladder diary so you can identify any patterns involved with urinary urgency. In this diary, you'll keep track of all food and fluid intake as well as specific times you need to urinate. Make one dietary change at a time so you can assess the effect.

    Fluid Intake

    • The NAFC recommends drinking six to eight 8-oz. glasses of fluid daily. It's best to spread the intake throughout the day, because drinking a large amount at once can lead to urinary urgency. You should reduce or stop fluid intake several hours before bedtime to prevent nocturnal urinary urgency.

    Considerations

    • It may be tempting to cut back on fluid intake in an attempt to reduce overactive bladder symptoms. Low fluid intake, however, leads to highly-concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder lining and worsen urgency problems. Highly-concentrated urine also is more likely to promote bacteria growth that can lead to urinary tract infections. In addition, low fluid intake can cause constipation, which puts pressure on the bladder.

    Beverages

    • Water is the ideal beverage. Caffeinated beverages can cause problems because caffeine is a diuretic and increases urine production. Coffee, tea and many soft drinks contain caffeine. Alcohol is a bladder stimulant, according to the NAFC. Additionally, the organization explains that drinking beverages with artificial sweeteners increases urinary urgency and frequency compared to drinking sugared drinks or those with no sweeteners. Drinks with a high sugar content, however, also are associated with overactive bladder symptoms.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Several foods are associated with overactive bladder symptoms. These include fruit and fruit juices, particularly citrus, as noted by the Cystitis and Overactive Bladder (COB) Foundation. Tomato-based foods and spicy foods also can trigger symptoms. Chocolate is another possible culprit, as it contains caffeine.

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