Which Food and Drinks Should I Avoid to Control Incontinence?
Incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including weakened pelvic floor muscles, overactive bladders, or even chronic illnesses. While the specific treatment depends on the underlying cause, there's a simple approach you might not have considered: tweaking your diet!
Steering clear of certain foods and drinks is a great way to dial down your symptoms, but why stop there when you can add a few more helpers to your incontinence toolkit.
Our bladders handle fluids, toxins, and waste that our kidneys filter from our blood, so it's no surprise that what we eat and drink can influence incontinence, especially for those with overactive bladders or urge incontinence.
Cutting out certain foods and beverages can significantly reduce the frequency of incidents.
Your doctor might call these adjustments 'lifestyle modifications' or 'behaviour therapy'. Making these changes can not only help manage symptoms but also potentially reduce the need for medications or surgeries.
Firstly, monitor your fluid intake
Drinking too much too quickly can really ramp up the urgency to go. To keep your bladder happy, try spreading out your fluid intake throughout the day instead of guzzling all at once.
This can be especially helpful if you find yourself waking up at night needing to use the bathroom. Focus on hydrating more in the morning and afternoon to minimise nighttime interruptions.
It’s also wise to steer clear of alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks, as they can stimulate your bladder and increase urine production.
Now please don’t read this as though we’re saying you should completely restrict your fluids - we aren’t! Not drinking enough is also not ideal, because it can lead to concentrated urine, which carries more waste and irritates the bladder, making you feel the need to urinate more frequently.
Finding the right balance in your fluid intake can really make a difference in managing incontinence effectively. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where you’re neither overdoing it nor skimping on hydration.
Speak to your doctor if you’re unsure how much water and other fluids you should be drinking every day.
Avoid these bladder irritants!
Certain foods and drinks can be tougher on your bladder than others. Some well-known culprits include:
- Caffeinated beverages like coffee
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcohol
- Acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes
- Tomato-based foods and sauces
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods
- Salty foods
You can start by taking these items out of your diet, then reintroduce them one at a time every few days.
Keep an eye on any changes in your urinary urgency, frequency, or volume. This way, with the help of your healthcare professionals, you can pinpoint which foods and drinks trigger your symptoms and adjust your diet accordingly.
Other ways to support your bladder and continence
Steering clear of certain foods and drinks is a great way to dial down your symptoms, but why stop there when you can add a few more helpers to your incontinence toolkit.
Bladder Training
If you find yourself dashing to the toilet at the slightest urge, you might just be training your bladder to cry wolf. Bladder training helps you hold off those bathroom breaks by stretching the time between them, teaching your bladder to wait a bit longer each time. The result? More control and fewer "gotta go right now" moments.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Welcome to your new favourite workout spot—the pelvic floor gym! Here, Kegels are the star of the show. These aren’t your average exercises; they’re all about strengthening the muscles that help you control your bladder. Think of it as doing regular reps to open and close the path from your bladder to the outside world (yes, that’s your urethra!). Stick with it, and you’ll gain more control over when and where you take bathroom breaks. You can seek help from a pelvic physiotherapist for exercises tailored to your specific needs.
Medication Check-Up
Ever notice how some medications can throw your bladder control into a spin? If you’re kicking off a new prescription, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about how it might affect your incontinence. And if you find yourself dealing with unexpected leaks, your doctor can help adjust your prescriptions to keep you feeling dry and comfortable.
Products to help manage incontinence comfortably
While making smart lifestyle choices can help reduce incontinence, it can still be a challenge for those dealing with it every day. But don’t worry, taking a proactive approach to managing it can make all the difference!
At Invizi, we offer top-notch European-made products that are designed to discreetly manage your incontinence so you can go about your day with invisible confidence!
Plus, with our delivery straight to your door (in minimally branded packaging), you can skip the hassle of browsing through limited options at supermarkets or chemists - and without any prying eyes!
We’ve worked hard to take the stress out of finding and getting your hands on some of the best and most effective continence management products around. Let us help make life a little easier for you!
About the Author: Gabriella Del Grande
Having begun her career as a journalist, Gabriella has been weaving words to create engaging and educational content for over a decade. Gabriella loves to write insightful pieces that empower readers to take control of their health and wellbeing so they can live their lives to the fullest. Along with crafting articles, Gabriella has an eye for design, producing and overseeing visual content from short-form Instagram reels and TikToks to long-form brand campaigns and video series.