Urge Incontinence & Bladder Irritants

Urge Incontinence is a problem with the bladder that causes you to feel like you have to go to the bathroom suddenly, when really you don’t need to. But why does this occur?

While it could be based on a number of factors, one of the big things that we consider are bladder irritants—certain foods and beverages that can actually contribute to the irritation of the bladder lining, which normally protects the bladder from toxic contents in urine. “The Four Cs” is a helpful rule to remember when considering bladder irritants.

The Four Cs
• Citrus: Fruits like oranges and limes contain high amounts of citric acid which can worsen bladder control.
• Caffeine: Beverages like coffee and tea can increase bladder activity and contribute to higher urgency and frequency of urination.
• Cocktails: Any type of alcoholic beverage will irritate the bladder and also act as a diuretic, increasing urinary frequency.
• Carbonation: Beverages like soda (which often also contains caffeine) has been shown to worsen incontinence symptoms.

Pay attention when you have these things and if you notice an increased urge following, take note of that and consider making changes to your diet.

Visit our Women’s Health Physical Therapy page for more information.