Drink more, not less, for OAB - The Urology Group (2024)

FAQs

Drink more, not less, for OAB - The Urology Group? ›

But for those with an overactive bladder (OAB), it may be tempting to skip the eight glasses of water in hopes of keeping trips to the bathroom to a minimum. But, in fact, limiting fluid intake can cause distress on the bladder and worsen OAB symptoms in addition to causing health problems related to dehydration.

In these patients, drinking more water can help incontinence due to decrease in the frequency of voiding and the amount of leakage.

We recommend that you drink around 3 to 4 pints (1.5 litres - 2 litres) of liquid per day. Drinking less than this could make your symptoms worse because the urine could become more concentrated and irritate your bladder.

Water is the best option for the bladder and for general health. Diluted cordial / squash drinks. Diluted fruit juice. Many fruit and herbal teas.

Treatment for Overactive Bladder

Our urologists treat patients with OAB with combinations of behavioral therapy, medication, and in severe cases, a therapy called Interstim, to treat overactive bladder. Another option is the injection of Botox into the bladder to relax and paralyze the overactive muscle.

When you first start drinking more water, you may find that the frequent urination seems worse until your bladder starts to gradually enlarge. The best way to monitor your progress is to keep a bladder diary 1 or 2 days per week. Keep track of how much urine you pass and how often you pass it.

Drink water.

Drinking water throughout the day helps to dilute urine and prevent kidney stones. Too few fluids can cause highly concentrated, dark yellow urine that comes with a foul odor and irritates the bladder.

You may find it beneficial to supplement your diet with a daily multivitamin. For example, some evidence shows that vitamin D and calcium may reduce OAB symptoms. It's best to talk with a doctor before adding a supplement or nutrition drink to your diet.

What is the root cause of overactive bladder? ›

Overactive bladder is a collection of symptoms that may affect how often you pee and your urgency. Causes include abdominal trauma, infection, nerve damage, medications and certain fluids. Treatment includes changing certain behaviors, medications and nerve stimulation.

Bananas, apples, grapes, coconut, and watermelon are good options for those with overactive bladder. Vegetables – Leafy greens, like kale, lettuce, cucumber, squash, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, celery and bell peppers. Whole grains, like oats, barley, farro, and quinoa (also a great protein).

Try and find peanut butter and jelly that are all-natural and don't contain any added sugars or artificial sweeteners as these can aggravate the bladder. When selecting bread for a sandwich, opt for whole wheat or whole grain varieties.

Immediate-release oxybutynin has been the gold standard drug for overactive bladder for 30 years, and in testing new drugs for overactive bladder, researchers use either immediate-release oxybutynin or placebo in the control group.

Advances in medical treatment include a new beta-3 agonist, vibegron, which is thought to have fewer drug interactions than mirabegron. Treatment of genitourinary syndrome of the menopause with oestrogens and ospemifene have also shown promise for OAB. Botulinum toxin has been shown to be an effective treatment option.

Drinking caffeine and alcohol in moderation. Drinking the proper amount of fluids each day. Too many fluids can worsen your symptoms, while not drinking enough can irritate your bladder lining and increase the severity of your urges.

Actually, no. It sounds counterintuitive, but the truth is that dramatically cutting down your water intake may actually make bladder problems worse because: Dehydration can irritate your bladder.

How to Prepare for a FULL BLADDER Ultrasound? Drink 3 to 4 (8 ounce) glasses of water or apple juice starting 2 hours before your appointment.

Overall, you should drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day. If you drink less, your urine might become concentrated and irritate your bladder. If you drink more, you might overtax your bladder and make matters worse.