Summary – Anyone suffering from bladder control diseases such as Urinary incontinence must be aware of the food items that they should include and exclude from their diet as they play a major role in the healing process. Continue reading to know about some eatables which are good and bad for an ailing bladder.

If you are someone experiencing urinary leakage for a while now, then it is time that you do some research of your own and gets a better understanding of your symptoms. The involuntary release of urine is often known as urinary incontinence wherein a person loses control over his bladder. The older adults are more at risk of succumbing to it as opposed to the younger ones for a number of reasons and one of them is the change in the urinary system as people grow old. While the younger adults can experience a speedy recovery, the older people often need to seek serious medical attention which can go on for some time.

The treatment for urinary incontinence often depends on which type you have. The most commonly occurring types are stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence refers to the leakage which takes place when you feel a sudden pressure on the bladder such as while laughing, coughing, sneezing etc. and Urge incontinence is where you feel a sudden urge to empty your bladder.

Along with different medications and bladder strengthening exercises, there are a few lifestyle changes which should be made such as the adoption of some healthy foods and the elimination of foods which can trigger leakage.


What to avoid?

When you have urine leakage going on, cutting down on diuretics is very important. Diuretics are substances which increase the amount of urine that you produce which is just not what you need when you are suffering from urine leakage problems. Food items such as coffee, tea, some sodas, etc. have diuretics in them and therefore should be avoided by anyone suffering from urinary incontinence.

Also, other eatables such as tomato based products, spicy foods, chocolates, a few acidic products such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, fruit juices, etc. also work as bladder irritants especially for people who are already suffering from bladder problems and hence are a big no no. 

What to replace them with?

While you give up on certain food items, there are plenty of others which can be added to your diet which will not only keep your bladder healthy but will also satiate your taste needs.

To begin with, do not cut down on water intake. Give your body the hydration it needs to keep functioning. When you stop drinking sufficient water, the urine present in your bladder becomes concentrated and ends up irritating it further. This does more harm than any good to you. But, in some cases, doctors might recommend a certain amount of hydration which should not be exceeded. Therefore, take suggestions from your doctor before making any changes to your water intake.

For everyone with an overactive bladder, it is important to add foods in your diet which are rich in vitamins such as non-acidic vegetables and fruits. Fruits like bananas, grapefruits, coconuts, apples, blackberries, etc. and vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, etc. are some healthy and tasty options to go in your diet.

Note: As discussed above, it is important that you take suggestions from your doctor before making any changes to your diet. Also, you should get a specific list of foods from your doctor for a better and speedy recovery.