Can Caffeine Cause Bladder Issues

Urinary Tract Infection In Women

Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is such a common occurrence that its the second most prevalent infection affecting around 8 million people every year.

UTI is an infection that affects any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that 4060 per cent of women will suffer from it at least once in their lifetime.

Because its so common, knowing the signs and symptoms of UTI is key.

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What Is Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder problem. About 750,000 Americans have interstitial cystitis. Most of them are women. People with interstitial cystitis have a bladder wall that is inflamed and irritated . This inflammation can scar the bladder or make it stiff. A stiff bladder can’t expand as urine fills it. There may be pinpoint bleeding from the walls of the bladder. A few people get sores in the bladder lining.

People with interstitial cystitis may have many of the following symptoms:

• An urgent need to urinate, both in the daytime and during the night

• Pressure, pain and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis and perineum . This pain and pressure may increase as the bladder fills and decrease as it empties in urination.

• A bladder that won’t hold as much urine as it did before

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• In men, discomfort or pain in the penis or scrotum

In many women, the symptoms get worse before their menstrual period. Stress may also make the symptoms worse, but it doesn’t cause them.

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What Causes Interstitial Cystitis

We don’t yet know what causes interstitial cystitis. We do know that infections with bacteria or viruses don’t cause it. It might be caused by a defect in the lining of the bladder. Normally, the lining protects the bladder wall from the toxic effects of urine. In about 70 percent of people with interstitial cystitis, the protective layer of the bladder is leaky. This may let urine irritate the bladder wall, causing interstitial cystitis.

Other possible causes may be an increase of histamine-producing cells in the bladder wall or an autoimmune response .

What Is The Impact Of Coffee On The Body

Many of us enjoy our morning cup of joe and even rely on it to wake up and get going. Its believed that 2.2 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world every year and fun fact, in Europe, Finns have the highest per capita consumption, drinking 12kg of the stuff annually!1 But what is the caffeine in coffee doing to your body?

Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant2, meaning that it increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, causing a rise in alertness, attention, energy and physical activity3. As such, consuming too much caffeine has lots of different effects on the body, including:

• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure4

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Other Ways To Treat Uti

Apart from drinking clear liquids, there are other ways to get out of this painful situation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, antibiotics are the first line of treatment for UTI. How long the treatment and the specific drugs to take all depend on the severity of the infection.

You could also complement your cranberry intake with probiotics, which are known to help with digestion as well as UTI treatment and prevention. Probiotics also have good bacteria called Lactobacillus, which can replace the bad ones.

Another that works well in both preventing and treating UTI is a simple sugar pretty much like glucose that acts as an antibacterial agent, D-mannose.

According to Livestrong:

The sugars in D-mannose coat the lining of the urinary tract and bladder as they pass through the body. These sugars not only cover mucus membranes but they surround bacterial cells making it impossible for them to stick to the walls of the bladder or urinary tract. The bacteria remain free floating and are passed out of the body in the urine.

D-mannose can significantly lower the number of bacteria in the urinary tract and urine within a day. So if youre suffering from this pesky infection, go ahead and find yourself D-mannose right away!

D-mannose may be found in supplements like VALI D-Mannose UTI Support.

Signs Of A Bladder Problem

Everyones bladder behaves a little bit differently. But certain signs may mean a bladder problem. If you have signs of a bladder problem, talk with your healthcare provider.

Signs of a bladder problem can include:

• Inability to hold urine or leaking urine
• Needing to urinate eight or more times in one day
• Waking up many times at night to urinate
• Sudden and urgent need to urinate
• Pain or burning before, during, or after urinating
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Passing only small amounts of urine after strong urges to urinate
• Trouble starting or having a weak stream while urinating
• Trouble emptying the bladder

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Do Spicy Foods Irritate A Bladder Infection

Whether you top your nachos with jalapeños, sprinkle your pizza with red pepper flakes, or love your curry chicken extra hot, you’ve got to skip the spice when you have a UTI. Spicy foods are known to irritate the bladder and worsen UTI symptoms, so cool down your meals and opt for blander choices to treat a urinary tract infection.

You Often Go Only A Little Bit

With an overactive bladder, even though you may feel the urge to hit the bathroom all the time, not much comes out. Sudden urge to urinate occurs because the muscles of the bladder start to contract involuntarily, even when the amount of urine in the bladder is low, Dr. Taylor says. This involuntary contraction makes women feel an urgent need to urinate, which signals OAB, as the bladder lining becomes hypersensitive to the smallest volumes of urine. Note: this particular symptom could also be a symptom of a urinary tract infection . The only way to truly tell the difference between a UTI and OAB is to obtain a urine culture to see if bacteria is growing in the urine, Dr. Taylor says. A urine culture is a very easy test that can be done in most labs.

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May Interfere With Estrogen Production

Caffeine is known to interfere with estrogen production and metabolism. While it increased estrogen production in Asians, it decreased the levels in white females .

Some believe that caffeine can reduce a womans chances of getting pregnant , though this has not been proven.

It also is believed that caffeine can have strong effects that may complicate pregnancy. Since research is lacking, we suggest that women who look forward to conceiving consult their doctor before taking caffeine.

Prevention Method

Consult your doctor for the recommended safe dosage of caffeine.

Gallbladder Inflammation And Caffeine

Gall bladder inflammation occurs when gallstones block the common bile duct and cystic duct leading to an infection. Drinking coffee can worsen symptoms of gallbladder inflammation. Coffee causes the inflamed gallbladder to contract which leads to severe pain in the upper right part of your abdomen.The pain may radiate from your abdomen to your right shoulder. If your gallbladder is inflamed, the doctor may advise you to avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, colas and energy drinks.

• Gall bladder inflammation occurs when gallstones block the common bile duct and cystic duct leading to an infection.
• If your gallbladder is inflamed, the doctor may advise you to avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, colas and energy drinks.

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The Effects Of Caffeine On The Bladder

Caffeine is among the most commonly consumed drugs in the world. It is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks. The consumption of caffeine has several significant effects on the bladder. Since the drug is a stimulant, caffeine increases metabolic activity throughout the body. This often provokes the bladder to do unwelcome things.

Wine: Good Or Bad For Oab

Wine can trigger a leaky bladder for two reasons.

• Alcohol is a diuretic that will start an increase of urine production leading to more trips to the bathroom.
• Red wine has more tannins in it giving it a darker color. Tannins are found in fruit skins that add both bitterness and astringency. Unfortunately, these tasty chemical compounds are bladder irritants and cause OAB patients to have discomfort.

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Aged Cheeses May Be Problematic

Dairy products can be bladder irritants. Sour cream and aged cheeses may be especially bad offenders. Luckily for you, there are tasty alternatives if your bladder can’t handle real dairy products. Try imitation sour cream or nut cheeses. You could try processed cheese that is not aged. Your body may tolerate these choices better.

May Induce Menstrual Problems

While a hot cup of coffee feels great during those days, excessive intake of caffeine can meddle with your menstrual cycle. It can cause period delays, excessive flow, and prolonged cramps.

Caffeine also increases the chance of vasomotor in menopausal women.

According to a study published in The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, menopausal women who are dependent on caffeine have a greater chance of displaying vasomotor symptoms .

Prevention Method

Quantity is key. You should always measure what you consume, whether it is caffeine or not. Consulting a doctor is also an important step, especially if you have menstrual problems.

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Should Those With Overactive Bladder Consume Caffeine

Unfortunately, caffeine is likely harmful to those with OAB. A 2010 study found that consuming excess caffeine increases the likelihood of urinary incontinence in women.

According to Jon Gleason, MD, of University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School’s Division of Women’s Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Women who consume high levels of caffeine are 70% more likely to have urinary incontinence than women who don’t.

Gleasons study evaluated women who consumed approximately 329 milligrams off coffee per day, which is the equivalent of three cups per day. The study evaluated 1,356 women, ages 20 to 85, who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study found no link between urinary incontinence and obesity, vaginal childbirth, and high intake of water. So, can someone with OAB symptoms safely drink a cup of coffee?

Adding the right medication for OAB to your healthy lifestyle and physical therapy can make a huge difference in your confidence and happiness.

The link between OAB symptoms and caffeine intake seems to be in the amount of caffeine consumed, although every person with OAB symptoms is unique.

Further research studies indicate that consuming caffeine in excess of 250 milligrams of caffeine per dayirritates the bladder, causing symptoms. This is because caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that caffeine causes the kidneys to produce more urine.

Asking The Painful Question: Can Tea Irritate Your Bladder

The answer to can tea irritate your bladder is a yes. For some people, tea can act as an irritant and worsen bladder issues.

However, this isnt true for everyone. Not to mention, the situation isnt quite as straightforward as you might think. So, for a more well-rounded answer, here is what you need to know:

Contents

• What Tea is Good For Your Bladder?

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Where Can I Get More Information About Interstitial Cystitis

The support of family, friends and other people with interstitial cystitis is very important to help you cope with this problem. People who learn about interstitial cystitis and participate in their own care do better than people who don’t.

People with interstitial cystitis can get more information on this disease from these groups:

Interstitial Cystitis Association

How Long Does Caffeine Affect The Bladder

Coffee starts to affect the bladder within 30 to 45 minutes after drinking. But if you take an excessive amount of coffee, you might need to go to pee right away.

Half of caffeine life is about 4-5 hours, which means after 5 hours or so, its effect starts to dissipate however, the other half of caffeine can stay in the body for longer.

It depends upon person to person on how long caffeine affects the bladder and irritates it. If you cut down the amount for the rest of the day, you might feel better.

Similarly, how much caffeine you consume in a day can affect how long it irritates the bladder.

If you feel like eating a specific food or drinking a beverage that increases your urine production, you might need to check what you consume. Go for de-caffeine drinks and food that takes less or no amount of caffeine.

You can check the table below to find out the caffeine amount in your favorite drink.

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How Is Interstitial Cystitis Treated

There is no cure yet for interstitial cystitis. Many treatments can help with your symptoms. Most people feel better after trying one or more of the following treatments:

Diet. Your doctor may tell you to change what you eat. You may need to avoid alcohol, acidic foods and tobacco.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Irritation

What you typically think of as bladder irritation is actually non-infectious cystitis. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of this type of cystitis. However, it is more common in women than in men.

Some of the symptoms that you may associate with this condition are:

• Pain or discomfort in the bladder
• Pressure in the bladder, making it feel full
• Increased urgency to urinate
• Possible discomfort or issues with urination

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Caffeine And Bladder Problems: Second View

The study findings are similar to those found by Lilly Arya, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, who published a study on caffeine and incontinence nearly a decade ago.

”What these studies are really finding high levels of caffeine are associated with urinary incontinence,” she says.

Does it cause or aggravate the condition? “That’s not known,” says Arya, who reports doing consultant work for Pfizer, Astellas, and Duramed, makers of incontinence drugs or products.

Frequent Urination And Urgency

Increased urination is a common side effect of high caffeine intake due to the compounds stimulatory effects on the bladder.

You may have noticed that you need to urinate frequently when you drink more coffee or tea than usual.

Most research looking at the compounds effects on urinary frequency has focused on older people and those with overactive bladders or incontinence .

In one study, 12 young to middle-aged people with overactive bladders who consumed 2 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight daily experienced significant increases in urinary frequency and urgency .

For someone weighing 150 pounds , this would equate to about 300 mg of caffeine per day.

In addition, high intake may increase the likelihood of developing incontinence in people with healthy bladders.

One large study looked at the effects of high caffeine intake on incontinence in more than 65,000 women without incontinence.

Those who consumed more than 450 mg daily had a significantly increased risk of incontinence, compared to those who consumed less than 150 mg per day .

If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages and feel that your urination is more frequent or urgent than it should be, it may be a good idea to cut back on your intake to see if your symptoms improve.

Summary: High caffeine

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Do Cranberries Help Or Hurt

Cranberries are a mixed bag when it comes to your bladder. You may notice drinking cranberry juice helps ward off urinary tract infections, but the beverage may make you pee more often. Cranberries and cranberry juice are acidic and potential bladder irritants. Pay attention to how you feel when you ingest cranberries or cranberry juice. If they give you overactive bladder symptoms, you may need to back off. Decreasing your intake of acidic foods may also help decrease heartburn symptoms.