The urinary system is a collection of organs whose primary function is to remove waste from blood circulation. This waste is converted to urine in the bladder. The bladder, like other areas of the body, can get inflamed. If food becomes the cause of bladder discomfort, it may be necessary to alter your diet.
What is the bladder?
The bladder is an organ that resembles a balloon tucked behind the pelvic bone. It is a muscle-based component of the urinary system. The kidneys produce urine by removing waste from the circulation. Urine is subsequently transported to the bladder, where it accumulates until urination.
What is urinary tract irritation?
Most individuals urinate between six and eight times per day (maybe more if you drink plenty of water). However, the bladder is similar to other organs in the body. Changes in urine can make you feel uncomfortable and humiliate you if it becomes inflamed and you experience an accident.
What symptoms are associated with bladder irritation?
The following physical symptoms are related to bladder irritation:
A strong need to urinate (urgency).
The frequent need to urinate (frequency).
Lower abdominal discomfort.
Could inflammation of the bladder indicate a disease?
Occasionally, urinary tract issues induce bladder irritation. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause transient discomfort and urgency. Chronic conditions such as interstitial cystitis (IC) can cause persistent bladder pain. IC is an inflammation of the bladder wall (swelling).
Normally, bladder discomfort by itself is not an emergency. However, if you have a fever, chills, and lower back or side pain, you should seek medical attention.
Are there foods that irritate the bladder?
The bladder collects waste, including food and beverage remnants. A variety of foods can irritate your bladder if you have a bladder disorder, such as IC. Common and uncommon foods can both cause irritation:
All alcoholic beverages, including champagne
Apples and apple juice
Bananas
Brewer’s yeast
Canned figs
Cantaloupes
Carbonated drinks
Cheese
Chicken livers
Chiles/spicy foods
Chocolate
Citrus fruits and juices
Coffee
Corned beef
Cranberries
Fava beans
Grapes and raisins
Guava
Lima beans
Nuts — hazelnuts (also called filberts), pecans, and pistachios
Mayonnaise
NutraSweet™
Onions (raw)
Peaches
Pickled herring
Pineapple
Plums and prunes
Rye bread
Saccharin
Sour cream
Soy sauce
Strawberries
Tea — black or green, regular or decaffeinated, and herbal blends that contain black or green tea
Tomatoes
Vinegar
Vitamins buffered with aspartame
Yogurt
How are foods that irritate the bladder identified?
A method of elimination is used to determine whether a food irritates the bladder. Not all individuals with bladder sensitivity are impacted by the same foods. Your healthcare professional can assist you in identifying foods that irritate the bladder. To evaluate bladder discomfort by eliminating foods, you can:
Keep a food journal to record which foods are bothersome and which are not.
Remove the foregoing foods from your diet for many days.
Once your symptoms have subsided, you can gradually reintroduce foods.
Start with a tiny bit of one food and gradually increase it over several days.
If discomfort returns after reintroducing a food, discontinue consumption of that food.
Repeat the gradual reintroduction of foods to discover those that irritate the bladder.
How do I deal with bladder irritation?
You can alleviate discomfort by avoiding foods that irritate your bladder. However, eliminating foods from your diet does not mean you cannot have them ever again. You could possibly appreciate them in moderation (once in a while). Ingesting foods that irritate the bladder in moderation or by accident will be less painful if you consume copious amounts of water.
Living with bladder irritation can be a frustrating experience, but you may take steps to eliminate dietary irritants and lessen pain. Avoid meals that irritate your bladder, and keep in mind the importance of water.
When you consume foods that irritate your bladder, drinking enough water helps you feel more at ease. The experts at Norman Urology Associates are here to help you enjoy your favorite foods without experiencing discomfort. Visit our website for more information on how we can help you.