Tips for Bladder health (part 1)
I see lots of women in my practice who are presenting with a range of bladder symptoms. From my experience these symptoms are very common and can affect women of all ages and different life stages.
Women often associate bladder symptoms with the changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth, however I often see bladder symptoms predating these life events or in the absence of them.
The following are some of the basics that are worth considering when we want to take care of ourselves and our bladder health.
WHAT EAT AND DRINK
Caffeine intake
Caffeine in coffee, tea and chocolate acts as diuretic by directly effecting the smooth muscle in the bladder wall. This can cause increased frequency and urgency of urination.
Sugar intake
Sugar acts as a stimulant on the bladder and can be associated with increased frequency and urgency. This is can be from natural occurring sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Spicy foods, citrus and alcohol
Citrus and alcohol are highly acidic and this can irritate the lining of the bladder and can be associated with symptoms such as bladder pain. Acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes are examples. Vegetables can also be an irritant and tomatoes are a common one.
Carbonated drinks
Fizzy or sparkling water contains dissolved carbon dioxide, this makes the fluid acidic and therefore again causing bladder irritation and symptoms such as urinary urgency.
So a drink that is fizzy, sweet and alcoholic would be a classic trigger for bladder irritation.
THE WAY WE DRINK FLUIDS
Our digestive system can only absorb a certain amount of fluid at a time. Therefore, if we drink a large volume in one go, only part of this will be absorbed and the rest will be excreted by the bladder.