What Kinds of Foods and Drinks Can Make Incontinence Worse?

By Jamie Shapiro | May 27, 2020 | Comments Off on What Kinds of Foods and Drinks Can Make Incontinence Worse?

Because you’ve taken on the responsibilities of being your senior’s caregiver, you have probably learned about a variety of different health concerns. There’s a lot to learn about seemingly simple issues, like incontinence. It can be surprising to realize that so much of what your senior eats and drinks and that she enjoys can actually be wreaking havoc with her bladder and the rest of her urinary tract. 

Acidic Fruits

Caregiver Evanston, IL: Incontinence and Food and Drinks

Technically speaking tomatoes are a fruit, although most people lump them in with vegetables. The acid in tomato, and tomato-based foods, can be irritating to your senior’s urinary tract. Other acidic fruits, like citrus fruits, can have a similar effect. Some people find that they can tolerate small amounts of acidic fruits, while others can’t tolerate them at all without making incontinence issues worse. 

Spicy Foods 

Foods that have a lot of spice to them are tasty, but they can also be irritating to your senior’s bladder. Different spices can have different effects, so you may want to experiment a bit to find the combinations that aren’t irritating for your elderly family member. As with acidic fruits, some people do find that they can’t tolerate any of them. 

Tea and Coffee 

Coffee and tea, no matter what time of day your senior drinks them can cause bigger problems than insomnia. The tannins in tea and the caffeine in both coffee and tea can each be irritating to the urinary tract. Even versions of both beverage that don’t have caffeine can cause issues. 

Sodas 

If your elderly family member enjoys sodas, she might not be thrilled to hear that both carbonation and caffeine in soda can be a problem. The bubbles in particular can be irritating to her system, causing greater issues with incontinence. Many sodas also contain sweeteners, both artificial and natural versions, that present their own problems. 

Sweeteners 

Sweeteners, like sugar and sugar alcohols, can cause your senior to feel as if she continually needs to go to the bathroom. That’s because they irritate the bladder and keep it overstimulated. They’re not just a problem in sodas and other beverages, though. Overly sweet foods can also have a similar effect. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list. You and your senior may want to consider keeping a food diary for a few weeks. This can help you to spot some of her personal triggers from food and drink. 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering a Caregiver in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas. 

Jamie Shapiro
Latest posts by Jamie Shapiro (see all)
Posted in Caregiver Evanston IL, Incontinence and Foods and Drinks and tagged ,