Which dietary advice is important for patients with urge incontinence?

For patients experiencing urge incontinence, avoiding bladder irritants is a key dietary recommendation. Certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods, can increase bladder sensitivity and contribute to incontinence episodes. By steering clear of these irritants, patients can help manage their symptoms more effectively and reduce the frequency of urgent urges to urinate.

In contrast, increasing caffeine intake could exacerbate symptoms since caffeine can act as a diuretic and irritate the bladder. Lowering carbohydrate intake is generally not directly linked to managing urge incontinence, and consuming more high-sugar foods might lead to other health complications without addressing bladder control issues. Therefore, focusing on avoiding bladder irritants is the most beneficial dietary advice for individuals dealing with urge incontinence.