Bladder Irritants are certain foods or drinks that we introduce into our body that, you guessed it… irritate the bladder (same goes for the bowel/gut as well). Essentially, these can cause a false signal to be sent to your brain that says “Hey, we have to go to the bathroom ASAP” even when you may not really have to. That’s why you may notice that after your morning coffee you’re running to the bathroom every 20 minutes, multiple times in a row, or with increased urgency (which may not be your norm). Now I know, there are some real fan favorites on this list - I am NOT telling you that you can never have coffee, chocolate or seltzer ever again; all I’m saying is that it is helpful to be aware of what certain foods and beverages are doing to your body. Maybe try cutting one of them out for 1-2 weeks to see if it is truly the culprit, and then you can add it back in as you see fit.
If you have more questions or concerns regarding bladder irritants and your toileting habits… schedule your initial evaluation at DPT! There are several exercises and bladder training techniques that we can teach you to ensure that YOU are in control of your bladder, not vice versa!
List:
Coffee & Tea (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
Sodas or Seltzer Water
Chocolate
Alcohol
Dairy
Spicy foods
Tomato based products
Certain citrus products
LACK of water!