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Bladder Irritants:
Their Impact on Bedwetting
Certain foods, drinks, and medications—referred to as bladder irritants—can heighten bladder sensitivity, leading to more frequent urges, discomfort, and difficulty staying dry at night. Although bladder irritants are a less common contributor to bedwetting, understanding their role can still be valuable in supporting your child’s bladder health. In this post, we’ll explore common bladder irritants and share practical tips for minimizing their effects.
Common Bladder Irritants in Kids' Diets
The following list includes common bladder irritants found in many foods and drinks. These may contribute to bedwetting in children with sensitive bladders, so it can be helpful to monitor them in your child’s diet.
1. Caffeine
Found in sodas, chocolate, tea, and energy drinks. Caffeine is a known diuretic, which means it increases urine production.
2. Carbonated Drinks
Sodas and even sparkling water can be a source of bladder irritation. Nearly all carbonated drinks contain dissolved carbon dioxide, creating an acidic solution that may irritate the bladder and increase the urge to urinate.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Used in sugar-free snacks, drinks, gum, and candies. Ingredients like aspartame and saccharin can lead to the production of acidity that also irritates the bladder and can trigger more frequent urination.
4. Citrus Fruits and Juices
Oranges and some citrus fruits can raise acidity in the bladder. This increase in acidity may lead to discomfort, sensitivity, and an urge to urinate.
5. Tomato Products
Found in sauces, ketchup, and pizza. Tomato products are acidic and may irritate the bladder lining in children with a bladder sensitivity.
6. Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy items. Some children may have sensitivities to dairy that impact bladder control. For those with dairy sensitivity, having milk at night may increase the likelihood of bedwetting.
7. Spicy Foods
Chili, salsa, and certain flavored snacks. Spices can irritate the bladder, creating a sensation of urgency.
8. Artificial Colors and Flavors
Common in candies, sodas, and processed snacks. Artificial additives can sometimes lead to bladder sensitivity.
9. Sugary Foods
Found in candies, desserts, and sugary drinks. Sugar can stimulate urine production, increasing the chances of nighttime accidents.
10. Acidic Foods
Vinegar, pickles, and sour candy. High acidity can lead to bladder sensitivity and more frequent urination.
PLEASE NOTE: While acidic foods can sometimes be common triggers, the body is complex, and “acid in” doesn’t always equate to “acid out.” Many foods considered “safe” may still contain acid, and some trigger foods may not contain acid at all. The key is to avoid your child’s personal trigger foods and focus on a healthy diet.
Common Medications That May Affect Bladder Sensitivity
In addition to food and drink, certain medications may affect bladder sensitivity and urination frequency, potentially complicating bedwetting.
- Antihistamines: Certain antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), may reduce bladder control. These medications may relax the bladder muscle, reducing its ability to empty fully. This can leave some urine in the bladder, causing it to fill up faster and leading to more frequent urges to urinate.
- Decongestants: Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Suphedrine PE) work by constricting blood vessels to relieve nasal congestion. However, this effect can also impact the bladder sphincter, making it harder for urine to pass and potentially increasing urinary urgency.
- Diuretics: Often prescribed for blood pressure or kidney issues, these medications increase salt and fluid excretion, leading to more frequent urination.
- Antiepileptic Drugs: Certain antiepileptic medications have been found to cause bedwetting in children, an underreported adverse drug reaction. These drugs can disrupt normal bladder function, leading to increased urination frequency.
- Alpha Blockers: Used for blood pressure and prostate conditions, alpha blockers can lead to increased urination by affecting bladder function.
- Calcium Channel Blockers: These blood pressure medications can decrease bladder contraction, resulting in more frequent urges to urinate.
- Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants may cause heightened bladder sensitivity, potentially leading to increased urination.
- Benzodiazepines: Commonly used for anxiety and sleep issues, these medications can impact bladder sensitivity and increase urinary frequency.
- Diabetes Medications: Some medications for type 2 diabetes can raise urine production and contribute to bladder sensitivity.
If you suspect a medication might be affecting your child’s bladder sensitivity, check with your doctor for guidance.
How to Determine if Bladder Irritants Are an Issue
If your child is experiencing nighttime accidents, identifying and reducing bladder irritants may help. However, it’s important to remember that bladder irritants are just one potential factor, and other underlying causes may also be contributing to bedwetting.
Here are some practical steps for identifying possible irritants:
1. Track Food and Drink Intake
Keep a diary of what your child eats and drinks each day, along with any nighttime accidents. Patterns may emerge between certain foods or drinks and bedwetting, which may provide useful clues.
2. Try an Elimination Test
Remove one suspected irritant from your child’s diet for one to two weeks and see if there is any improvement. Avoid removing too many items at once to better identify specific irritants.
3. Consult a Pediatrician or Specialist
Your child’s doctor can offer guidance on managing bladder irritants and may suggest dietary adjustments. In cases where sensitivities or allergies are suspected, they can recommend further testing.
4. Encourage Bladder-Friendly Hydration
Encourage your child to drink mostly water throughout the day, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks, especially close to bedtime. Drinking water helps maintain bladder health without causing overstimulation.
Understanding the Broader Causes of Bedwetting
While bladder irritants can play a role in bedwetting, there are often other underlying causes to consider. These may include delayed brain-bladder communication, insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), constipation, weak pelvic floor muscles, or even genetics. The Stay Dry at Night program delves into the various causes of bedwetting and offers tailored strategies to help children address and manage these contributing factors.
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Tips for Managing Bedwetting with Dietary Adjustments
Limit Evening Drinks
Encourage your child to drink most of their fluids earlier in the day, gradually reducing intake in the hours leading up to bedtime.Choose Bladder-Friendly Foods
Whenever possible, provide foods that are gentle on the bladder in the evening. Try to avoid acidic, sugary, or spicy foods close to bedtime, as these can increase bladder sensitivity.Monitor and Identify Patterns
Since each child may react differently to certain foods and drinks, it’s helpful to monitor which items seem to have an impact. Look for patterns and adjust accordingly to find what best supports your child’s needs.Be Patient and Understanding
Bedwetting can take time to resolve, and patience goes a long way. Approach the process with empathy, avoiding punishment or criticism. Instead, focus on encouragement and small wins, fostering a positive environment for progress.
Conclusion
Addressing bedwetting can be complex, requiring patience, observation, and sometimes adjustments to your child’s diet. While reducing bladder irritants is a helpful step, it’s just one part of a broader approach. The Stay Dry at Night program provides practical tools and guidance to help your child build confidence and experience more dry nights
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Foods That Irritate the Bladder. Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic
Everyday Health. (n.d.). 10 Medications That May Cause Increased Urination. Retrieved from Everyday Health
Drugs.com. (n.d.). Medications That Cause Frequent Urination. Retrieved from Drugs.com
BuzzRx. (n.d.). 6 Medications That Can Cause Frequent Urination. Retrieved from BuzzRx
Sathyan, A., Scaria, R., Arunachalam, P., Ramasamy, M., Thekkekkara, D., & Sivadasan, S.(2020). Antiepileptic Drugs–Induced Enuresis in Children: An Overview. Journal of Pharmacy Technology, 37(2),114-119. https://doi.org/10.1177/8755122520964047
Great Ormond Street Hospital. (n.d.). Keeping Your Child’s Bladder Healthy. Retrieved from Great Ormond Street Hospital
Pelvic Sanity. (n.d.). IC Myth #5: Acid is the Enemy. Retrieved from Pelvic Sanity
Ginny Laver
Ginny Laver BA (Hons), MSc, NLP, Dip. THP is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner who specialises in helping children learn how to stop bedwetting naturally.
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