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Coffee, Children & Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are common enough, but they can be a serious interruption in your life. They affect people of all ages, even children and it has been found that consuming drinks like coffee can irritate the bladder and encourage such infections. Luckily, numerous effective treatments exist for putting a stop to the symptoms of a UTI and helping kids stay away from the coffee that may cause them.

  1. Definition

    • Urinary tract infections are often referred to as UTIs and are caused by bacteria that enters the urethra and settles somewhere along the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Girls are much more susceptible to UTIs because of the relatively short length of the urethra, making bacteria from the anus much more likely to enter.

    Causes of UTIs in Children

    • Children do not get UTIs as often as adults do, but they can occur on occasion. The most common causes of UTIs in kids usually relate to poor hygiene. Young girls who wipe from back to front after a bowel movement may force bacteria into the urethra causing an infection. Likewise, going swimming and not changing out of a bathing suit right away can invite infection as well. Not drinking enough water is a primary culprit, too, often made worse by ingesting caffeinated or acidic beverages like orange juice, soda and coffee.

    Symptoms in Children

    • When a child gets a urinary tract infection, the symptoms may not be completely clear at first, especially if they are too young to express how they feel. A fever, irritability and fatigue may be signs to consider. If the child is old enough to express themselves, symptoms can include pain during urination, blood in the urine, foul-smelling urine, urgency and incontinence. Noticeable increased pain or symptoms following consuming coffee or similar beverages may also be a sign of a UTI.

    Role of Coffee in Development of UTIs

    • When you have a UTI, it is a good idea to steer clear of acidic drinks like orange juice and those that contain caffeine like coffee and sodas. These drinks work only to aggravate the lining of the bladder, prolonging the pain and irritation. Likewise, avoiding these drinks or at least drinking them only in moderation can work wonders in staving off repeated infections. Children are especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine. So, not only will they be jittery, but they'll also experience more intense irritation of the urinary tract.

    Treatment

    • UTIs are most often treated with antibiotics. A course lasts between three and seven days and works to kill the accumulated bacteria and reduce inflammation. Common drug choices include amoxicillin, ampicillin, quinolones and trimethoprim. To speed healing, instruct your child to drink plenty of water and cranberry juice and to empty her bladder whenever she gets the urge. Avoiding coffee is also a good idea. Not only is it bad for kids in general by making them jittery, causing crashes and stunting growth, it also severely irritates the bladder, which can be especially troubling if your child doesn't drink enough water.

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