Overview

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterised by a sudden, involuntary urge to urinate, often resulting in frequent bathroom visits. It can impact daily life, causing discomfort and disruption. Lifestyle changes, bladder training, and medications are common treatments. Consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for effective management.

Some foods can exacerbate overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, but they can also be lessened by certain dietary adjustments, such as consuming more fibre.

Overactive Bladder Diet:

Certain meals and beverages may aggravate the symptoms of OAB by irritating your bladder. The adverse effects of some over-the-counter (OTC) bladder control drugs may also affect how much food and liquids you consume.

What Food to Eat in Overactive Bladder

Lean Protein- Lean protein may be abundant in fish, fowl, turkey, low-fat beef, and pig. Eggs are also a fantastic source of protein if you're trying to avoid meat.
Meals rich in fibre- These filling meals can prevent constipation, which puts additional strain on your bladder. Almonds, oats, pear, raspberries, lentils, and beans are great options to increase fibre intake.
Fruits- You should include fruits in your diet, even though some, especially citrus ones, may irritate the bladder. Watermelons, bananas, apples, grapes, coconuts, and bananas are excellent options for those with hyperactive bladders.
Vegetables- Examples of vegetables include Broccoli, carrots, celery, bell peppers, squash, kale, lettuce, cucumbers, and squash.
Nuts- The doctor recommends nuts such as walnuts, cashews and almonds.
Whole grains- Quinoa, barley, farro(hulled wheat), and oats—are excellent protein sources.
Water- While always drinking enough water is important, consuming too many carbonated or caffeinated drinks may result in frequent bathroom breaks. Inadequate water consumption can also cause problems since it can irritate the bladder's lining and concentrate urine. It can also lead to constipation, which aggravates the symptoms of an overactive bladder by putting more strain on the bladder. Filling overactive bladder with more fluid means more urination. Talk to doctor about how to drink and keep a track.

What Food to Avoid in Overactive Bladder

Tomato products- Acidic foods like tomatoes can aggravate bladder irritation and exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder. Tomato-containing goods should also be avoided by those who are extremely sensitive.
Coffee and tea- Caffeine is the culprit in tea and coffee. It may intensify symptoms, such as increased frequency and urgency of urinating and incontinence, by increasing bladder activity. Symptoms can be lessened by cutting back on or giving up caffeine or by switching to decaffeinated coffee. Limit to one pee day.
Chocolate- A serving of chocolate has around 1/4 the caffeine content of a cup of coffee, much as a serving of tea or coffee. Consider white chocolate, which often doesn't contain caffeine, or dark chocolate, which has a higher cocoa content and may be able to sate your appetite in fewer amounts.

Oranges, limes, and lemons. Like tomatoes, citrus fruits have significant citric acid content, which might impair bladder control. Avoid the following citrus fruits:

oranges
limes
lemons
grapefruits

Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic drinks are another habit you might want to cut back on if you have an overactive bladder, in addition to chocolate and coffee. Among them are

beer
wine
Liquor

Alcohol can irritate the bladder and interfere with the brain's impulses, alerting you to the overflow of the bladder.

Carbonated beverages
Carbonated drink fizz may make symptoms of OAB worse. Avoid drinking beverages like:

soft drinks
soda water
energy drinks

Carbonated drinks with caffeine can be particularly problematic, as can champagne, which has both carbonation and alcohol that stimulates the bladder.

Spicy foods. Certain meals might irritate your bladder, moisten your eyes, and burn your lips. Take caution when handling hot sauces and peppers. Tomatoes, another item on this list, are found in hot salsas, so proceed with additional caution.
Sweeteners. There is evidence that sweeteners, natural or artificial, might exacerbate symptoms of OAB. Like with other meals, you might not need to give up sugar completely, but it could be a good idea to try cutting back on it to see if it helps with your symptoms.
Processed foods. Several artificial substances included in processed foods, such as flavouring and preservatives, might irritate your bladder and exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome. Fresh, natural foods like veggies and whole grains should be a part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Urology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

Even though OAB has no known cure, most patients can lessen or eliminate their symptoms by altering their lifestyle, taking medicine, or doing both. Identifying your food triggers may enhance your quality of life and symptoms. Drinking beverages just during designated times and keeping an eye on your fluid consumption could also be helpful.