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If you have an overactive bladder, certain social situations can induce anxiety. With the holidays just around the corner, you might be wondering how you’re going to make it through another family dinner when frequent bathroom trips are part of your daily routine. Fortunately, a few wise food choices will allow you to have a comfortable holiday dinner.

What to Avoid if You Have an Overactive Bladder

1. Caffeine

Coffee, tea, and soda all increase your need to urinate. You don’t have to eliminate caffeine altogether, but know your sensitivity and set a limit for yourself. If you’re going to quit, reduce your intake slowly in the weeks before the holiday to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

2. Alcohol

Beer, wine, and liquor irritate your bladder and can dull the signal from your bladder to your brain. This is a dangerous combination if you already urinate often. As with caffeine, know your limits and stick to just one or two drinks — or none.

3. Tomato Products

Avoid tomatoes and tomato-based foods. This includes both cooked and raw tomatoes, so be mindful of what’s in your salad. Tomato paste and marinara sauce are also culprits. If these make an appearance on your Thanksgiving table, enjoy them with caution.

4. Chocolate

overactive bladderThe good news is that pumpkin pie is not a bladder irritant. The bad news is that chocolate is because it contains caffeine. If you must satisfy your chocolate craving this Thanksgiving, try either white chocolate, which does not usually have caffeine, or dark, which contains enough cocoa to ease your desires in a smaller quantity.

5. Onions

Onions often make an appearance in salads and homemade stuffing. Fortunately, cooked onions are less of an irritant for an overactive bladder than raw onions, so you can still enjoy your grandmother’s famous homemade stuffing.

If an overactive bladder is controlling your life, learn the trigger foods and talk to a urologist about other ways to manage your symptoms.

 

Medical Center Urology in High Point, NC, offers personalized, high-quality urology care with a full range of services for men and women, including treatment for erectile dysfunction and overactive bladders. Their compassionate, board-certified physician is trained in the latest treatments for urological conditions. Call (336) 882-0220 or send a message online to schedule your appointment today.

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