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$Title{How Can Diet Affect a Bladder Infection?}
$Subject{bladder infection food eat foods stomach acids histamines amino urine
bacteria liquid infections infected virus viruses viral digestive system
digestion nutrition diet diets liquids acid}
$Volume{A-16,I-26}
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Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Can Diet Affect a Bladder Infection?


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QUESTION:  It seems as though every type of disease has something to do with
the food you eat.  Certainly I have read that it is true about heart disease.
But my problem is a continuing bladder infection, that is certainly a most
unpleasant situation.  Are there any foods that affect this condition, and
what may they be?  I will go to almost any lengths to reduce the stinging and
burning sensations I am experiencing.

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ANSWER:  The first important step in controlling and ridding yourself of this
most annoying, but most common condition in women, is to visit your physician
for a proper diagnosis and prescriptions for the effective medications that
can wipe out the infection.  But there are a number of tips about foods that
may help to reduce the discomfort to more bearable levels, and which are
fairly easy to follow.
     There are two basic types of food that provoke the pain and discomfort.
Foods that cause the stomach to produce additional acids and then cause the
discharge of histamines (the same body chemical released during allergic
reactions) are the first type to avoid.  They include coffee, spicy foods, and
almost all fruits except for watermelon, honeydew melon, berries and pears.
Such foods increase the burning sensation already present in an irritated and
inflamed bladder.  The second group of foods contain amino acids, which
stimulate the sensory nerve fibers in the bladder and provoke a burning
sensation.  These amino acids are present in chocolate, aged cheeses,
alcoholic beverages and pickled foods amongst others.
     The secret of the success of these dietary restrictions is that they
reduce the acid content of the urine, thus reducing the irritation.  Some
doctors also advise drinking a full glass of water with a quarter teaspoon of
baking soda once a day to help neutralize these acids.  You can also reduce
acidic concentration by drinking lots of water, as much as 8 glasses a day to
help dilute the concentration of bacteria in the urine.  And that is a great
health hint for most Americans, even those without bladder irritation, who
usually do not consume enough of this health protecting liquid each day.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.