Drinking Coffee Has Its Advantages
It can boost physical and mental performance, help to burn fat, reduces the risk of some cancers, stroke, Parkinson disease, Type II diabetes, not to mention death, and helps to fight depression. But for most people, the love of it comes from the pleasure of drinking it and one can never overdose on pleasure.
I Wont Give Up Coffee But I Find Ways To Meet My Needs For Flavor And Caffeine That My Body Can Toleratemeagan
As ever, we love hearing what youre doing to feel fabulous in your body. Please share with the community, in the comments here or on and .
Eating Your Way To A Healthier Bladder And Bowel
The NHS estimates that there are around 14 million people who have bladder control problems and around 6.5 million people who suffer from poor bowel control and these are people of all ages incontinence in not an issue just for the elderly.
Did you know that for many people, incontinence issues can be vastly improved just by adjusting what we eat and drink. In this blog, we explore how what we eat and drink can affect our bladder and/or bowel.
Foods and drinks to avoid
If you suffer from and overactive bladder or urge incontinence, there are certain foods that can aggravate your condition and leave the bladder feeling irritated and sore. These include
Cranberry juice good or bad?
It has long been thought that cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections but in fact leading urologists say that there isnt any evidence to suggest that cranberry juice does have properties that stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Cranberry juice is also naturally very acidic, which could lead to bladder irritation.
Increase your fibre
Drink less or drink more?
Achieve a healthy weight
Being at healthy BMI will help to reduce the pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and provide better support to your bladder and bowel and improve your ability to better control the sphincter muscles.
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Foods That May Irritate The Bladder
Michael Chiarello made a burrata caprese salad at a previous Aspen Food and Wine Festival that looked delicious, however it contained several ingredients that are a minefield for anyone with bladder pain. He built a beautiful dish with chili-infused vinegar, large slices of heirloom tomatoes, and large pieces of cheese.
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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Caffeine And Bladder Problems: Advice
The new study findings lend weight to advice many doctors already give, Arya says.
”For the woman with problems, it should ideally be zero caffeine,” she says. But she’s realistic, knowing ”you have to be able to get through the day.” So she tells these women, “Have a cup, one small cup, but make it as small as you can, definitely less than 8 ounces.”
For women without bladder problems? “Up to two cups a day is generally fine. No bigger than 12 ounces, and the second cup should preferably be decaf.”
“If you review all the caffeine literature, it seems like, in the U.S., up to two cups of coffee a day is considered moderate.” Whatâs more difficult, she says, is defining a cup.
Years ago, she tells WebMD, researchers considered 5 ounces to be a ”standard” cup. “That’s your grandma’s china cup,” she says.
These days, many researchers view an 8-ounce cup standard, she says. But coffee sold at outlets is often served in a much bigger cup.
At Starbucks, for instance, a short is 8 ounces but a tall is 12, a grande is 16, and a venti, 20 ounces.
Alcohol And Carbonated Drinks
Alcohol and carbonated drinks should be minimized. Alcohol may not only irritate the bladder, it can interfere with the signals your body sends to your brain that let you know when your bladder is full. Beer, wine and liquor can all do damage, as can soda, champagne, energy drinks, and seltzer anything with fizz could potentially be an irritant for your bladder.
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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.
Foods That Irritate The Bladder
If you have a constant and strong urge to urinate, empty your bladder more than eight times a day, or use the bathroom frequently during the night, you may have bladder irritation or overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is characterized by these intense symptoms and the need to go, even if youve just emptied your bladder.
This challenge is a common one, as over33 million Americans live with OAB and its symptoms. Thankfully, there are many ways to treat an overactive bladder. One of the easiest ways to treat this is by controlling your diet!
In this article, you will learn the basics of overactive bladder and bladder irritation, which foods to avoid that may irritate your bladder, and how to treat your symptoms so you can get your life back!
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Are All Teas Diuretics
All teas and coffees are not equally diuretic. Here is a guide to the caffeine content of each type of tea:
BlackBlack tea weighs in at the top of the caffeine content list. It is the most diuretic tea. Eight ounces of black tea contains anywhere from 40 up to 70 milligrams of caffeine. This is about half as much as a standard cup of coffee.
OolongOolong tea is a Chinese drink that is known for its depth of flavour. It contains and moderate caffeine content, in the range of 35-55 milligrams per 8-ounce serving.
WhiteIn an 8-ounce serving of white tea, there are only about 15-30 milligrams of caffeine. This is due to the minimal amount of processing that white tea leaves go through before sale.
HerbalThe herbal tea family contains delicious choices like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, and other natural flavours. Herbal teas are derived from seeds, roots, flowers and as such contain no caffeine.
GreenGenerally, green teas contain between 35 and 45 milligrams of caffeine in an 8-ounce serving.
What Behavioral Changes Can I Make To Help With Overactive Bladder
There are many techniques and changes to your typical behavior that you can try to help with an overactive bladder. These can include:
Keeping a log: During a typical day, write down your fluid intake, the number of times you urinate, the number of accidents and when they occur. Make a note about what happened when the accident happened, like when you:
- Cough.
- Laugh.
- Were unable to reach the bathroom in time.
Monitoring your diet: Eliminate or decrease foods or beverages that may worsen your bladder symptoms. These could include:
- Tea.
- Spicy and acidic foods and drinks.
- Foods and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners.
Maintaining bowel regularity: Constipation can place added pressure on the bladder and have a negative effect on your bladder function. By keeping healthy bowel habits, you may be able to avoid constipation and help to lessen bladder symptoms. The following are some suggestions for maintaining bowel regularity:
- Increase your fiber intake by eating foods like beans, pasta, oatmeal, bran cereal, whole wheat bread, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Every morning, take 2 tablespoons of this mixture: 1 cup apple sauce, 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran, and ¾ cup prune juice.
- Exercise regularly to maintain regular bowel movements.
Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight can add pressure on your bladder, which may contribute to bladder control problems. If you are overweight, weight loss can reduce the pressure on your bladder.
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Learn The Food Dos And Donts For Dealing With Oab
Coloradans know that our cuisine reaches far beyond Chipotle burritos, the fearsome Rocky Mountain Oyster and Coors Light. Its a state rich in culturally diverse flavors and theres never a shortage of wine and beer .
Colorado also loves to celebrate food and drink with festivals like Aspens Food & Wine Classic with palates prepared for decadence.
But for women suffering from an overactive bladder , consuming the wrong foods will provide little comfort. By focusing on a bladder-friendly diet that avoids known irritants and opts for smart alternatives, urgency, frequency and bladder discomfort may be greatly reduced.
Basics Of Bladder Irritation

The bladder is the part of our body that holds urine. It plays an important role in our renal system and helps get rid of waste! Your bladder is a balloon-shaped muscle located behind the pelvic bone. It can become irritated for a variety of reasons, and this irritation can lead to overactive bladder or even incontinence.
One cause of this irritation is our diet. When we eat and drink, our bodies filter out the leftovers through our renal system. Made up of our kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract, this system is responsible for the formation and filtration of solute through our urine.
However, if you eat certain foods that are more irritating to your bladder, this could result in muscle spasms and false signals that your bladder is full, which is when overactive bladder and even incontinence can occur!
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Many people with urinary incontinence avoid drinking fluids, as they feel it causes more problems. However, limiting your fluid intake makes incontinence worse, because it reduces your bladder’s capacity.
Not drinking enough fluid can also cause constipation or make it worse.
Find out which are the healthiest drinks.
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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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
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Kicking The Caffeine Habit
Coffee and tea trigger flares for many people with interstitial cystitis . Yet, many dont know how they would get through the day without them. The caffeine in both of these beverages can be habit-forming, and quitting cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
MYTH: Decaffeinated coffee and tea are okay for IC patients to drink.Doctors and other healthcare providers report that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea can trigger bladder flares because of the acidity in the products, so it is best to kick the coffee and tea habit, and find alternative ways to find energy throughout the day.
Here are three tips for easing off caffeinated drinks and finding alternative ways to keep energized:
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Dietary Triggers Of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can be both inconvenient and embarrassing. For this reason, people who suffer from this condition are always looking for ways to control their symptoms and prevent accidents. If you deal with urinary incontinence, avoiding the dietary triggers below may help to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine can aggravate incontinence in a number of ways. It stimulates the bladder to contract, which produces the urge to urinate, and it causes your body to produce a greater amount of urine. To prevent these issues, avoid consuming even small amounts of caffeine, which can be found in coffee, chocolate, soda and tea. If you must consume caffeine, try to do so in the morning or early afternoon.
2. Large amounts of fluid
Drinking a sufficient amount of fluid is essential for your health. However, if you drink too many liquids during the day, you may experience more frequent urges or leaks. Try to drink no more than 2 liters of fluid each day. If possible, you should drink the majority of your fluids earlier in the day and limit the amount of fluids you consume at night.
3. Spicy or acidic foods
Foods that are spicy or acidic can irritate the bladder, thus worsening the symptoms of incontinence. Foods that fall into this category include:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
4. Alcohol
5. Carbonated beverages
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Other Foods And Chemicals
Foods that contain artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, including aspartame, acesulfame K, saccharin and stevia, can potentially provoke bladder irritation symptoms. These sweeteners are found in a wide array of foods, such as diet beverages, light yogurt and reduced-calorie frozen desserts.
Other foods identified by the Interstitial Cystitis Association to avoid because of their potential to worsen bladder irritation include:
- Boxed pasta or rice meal mixes
- Cured meats, such as salami and pepperoni
- Sausage, hot dogs and smoked fish
- Processed cheese products
- Bouillon cubes and powders, and dry soup and dip mixes
Skip Citrusy Or Caffeinated Sodas Irritate The Bladder

Sodas in general have been found to irritate the bladder in people with chronic bladder inflammation, and they could aggravate symptoms in someone with a bladder infection. Citrus-flavored sodas and caffeinated sodas are the culprits when it comes to worsening urinary tract infection symptoms. So, when you’re struggling to overcome a bladder infection, stick to water or cranberry juice as your drink of choice.
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