Nutrition plays an essential role in overall health and helps in reducing symptoms associated with overactive bladder. Statistics suggest that more than 30% of women in the country have bladder control issues. While there are medications that can help manage the condition, changes in your food regime can help prevent the condition as well. Read on to know more about the foods to avoid and the medication options to manage bladder control issues.
Foods to avoid
Caffeine
Caffeine products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and carbonated drinks are some of the primary triggers that can be counterproductive for bladder control. This is because they have a diuretic effect, which means they worsen bladder control by promoting frequent urination.
Alcohol
Like caffeine, alcohol is also believed to have a diuretic effect as well, aggravating bladder control issues. It increases the pressure in the detrusor muscles, reducing the control over natural signals indicating the brain to empty the bladder. So, an occasional indulgence in wine or beer may not harm, but binging on hard liquor can affect bladder control.
Spicy foods
Bladder-related issues such as bladder leakage are typically seen more in women. Bladder leakage can also be greatly affected by spicy foods that contain chili powder, peppers, horseradish, and other pungent spices. They worsen bladder control by irritating the inner lining of the bladder and increasing the urge to urinate. Moreover, consuming spicy foods also increase the tendency to drink more water, further worsening urinary incontinence.
Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners can also worsen bladder control as they contain compounds that can make the bladder muscles hyperactive. This increases the risk of suffering from urinary tract infections, especially in women due to frequent urination. This can make urinary incontinence difficult to control.
Medications
These food regime changes can help manage bladder control. But, if the condition worsens, there are medications that can provide relief from bladder control issues. Medications like Myrbetriq® provide relief from an overactive bladder by smoothening the bladder muscles, helping it fill more frequently, and increasing urine storage. The tablet comes in two dosages of 25mg and 50mg. The dosage is decided based on the severity of urinary incontinence. Vibegron is another medication used for managing bladder control. It belongs to the beta-3 adrenergic agonists class that prevents contraction of muscles, preventing uncontrolled urination.
