Fluids and Your Bladder

Fluids and Your Bladder

 

Think of your bladder as a storage container. It does not make urine – it only holds urine. It has no control over how fast and how much it fills – you control that through your fluid intake.

The bladder is meant to be filled and emptied at a regular pace throughout the day. If it is filled too fast or overfilled, it may spasm and send you to the bathroom urgently or even cause you to leak. If it is filled with liquids that irritate the lining of the bladder, it may spasm as well. 

If you have an overactive bladder that means your bladder is very sensitive to fluids that you take in. We recommend drinking 60 to 80 ounces (oz) of fluid per day. When you have a bladder issue, staying in this range helps you to make a healthy amount of urine in a day. 

People who exercise a lot or live in a hot climate may need some extra fluids. Most of the extra will be lost through sweating, so the amount of urine you make should stay about the same.

 

Avoid drinking too little

  • Many people with bladder problems may try to drink less in order to make less urine, thinking they will need to go to the bathroom less often. This can result in more concentrated (dark yellow, strong smelling) urine that can irritate the lining of your bladder and actually causing you to need to go to the bathroom more often.
  • Drinking too little can also cause dehydration (when your body does not have the water it needs).

 

Avoid drinking too much

  • Try to limit fluids to 60 to 80 ounces per day.
  • Do not drink large amounts at one time. Instead, sip 2 to 3 ounces every 20 to 30 minutes between meals. This will allow your bladder to fill slowly.

 

Avoid drinking fluids that irritate your bladder

Caffeine, alcohol, soda (pop), artificial sweeteners, acidic foods, and spicy foods make overactive bladder symptoms worse. They do this in two ways:

  1. They can directly irritate the bladder muscle, which can cause a feeling of urgency (having an urgent need to urinate).
  2. Caffeine and alcohol are also diuretics. This means they cause fluid to leave the body more quickly, causing the bladder to fill quickly. This will make you feel the need to urinate right away and more often. 

Caffeine sources include caffeinated drinks, such as soda or pop, coffee, tea and energy drinks. Be aware of other sources, such as chocolate. 

Cut Out Caffeine for a Healthier Bladder

  • If you drink a lot of caffeine now, begin by cutting down by about 1/2 cup a day over a 1 to 2 week period. This helps you avoid symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, such as headache.
  • Replace caffeinated drinks with decaffeinated drinks. Be aware some of these still have some caffeine and may irritate the bladder.
  • Drink water instead when possible to keep your bladder healthy.

 

© June 10, 2020, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.