If you are a senior with incontinence or the caregiver for an elderly loved one with incontinence, you may believe that how much a person drinks that causes incontinence. This mistaken belief often leads to seniors (and their caregivers) reducing the amount of liquid that the person drinks. This can lead to serious medical consequences. Many seniors are at increased risk of dehydration due to other medical conditions, and they should never have their liquid intake severely reduced. Rather, the type of beverages that are being drunk should be considered and perhaps some dietary changes made. Caregivers can often be influential in helping to make the necessary changes. Here are some beverages that make incontinence worse.

Alcohol-Drinking alcohol poses a double problem for those people who are struggling with incontinence. Alcohol is both a stimulant, for the bladder, and a diuretic, so it causes the body to flush out water. This means that it can exacerbate incontinence for many people. To avoid dealing with the effects of alcohol it is best to choose mixed drinks that are water based. Keep in mind that you should never mix alcohol with any other bladder irritant like a citrus juice (most citrus juices can be bladder stimulants), or caffeinated drinks. In addition, consider cutting back keep in mind that you can still have a good time with just one drink. Finally, no matter what you drink consider flushing it out with plenty of water.

Soda pop-Everyone loves soda, pop, or whatever they call it in your area. However, soda pop can contain a lot of bladder triggers such as: caffeine, carbonation, and flavorings that are cocoa based. Many people believe that diet soda is better for their health however; if you have incontinence the artificial sweetener can make it worse. One of the best things to do is to try and give up your soda pop, for other options. Drinks like lemonade, herbal tea, or water with fizz can be a refreshing beverage. If you are trying to give up a cola based drinks, you may want to consider doing it gradually.

Coffee and tea-The major problem with these drinks is the caffeine that they contain. Caffeine is as diuretic, so it stimulates the bladder and makes the person with incontinence feel that they have to go even more. The best strategy is to eliminate anything with caffeine from the senior’s diet. However, this can be hard to do so if the senior drinks coffee or tea, they should have a glass water to dilute the effects of the caffeine, and most importantly limit the caffeine intake to the am hours, so that the effects of it are not disrupting the senior’s sleep.

The Caregiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their care giving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers – from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer – as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids.

Dianna Malkowski is a Board Certified Physician Assistant and Mayo Clinic trained nutritionist specializing in diabetes, cancer, wound healing, therapeutic diets, nutrition support and also on Incontinence products. Visit the Care Giver Partnership for more info on Male incontinence products

It is important to understand that incontinence is not a normal part of the aging process. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/ for more details.

Author Bio: Dianna Malkowski is a Board Certified Physician Assistant and Mayo Clinic trained nutritionist specializing in diabetes, cancer, wound healing, therapeutic diets, nutrition support and also on Incontinence products. Visit the Care Giver Partnership for more info on Male incontinence products

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Incontinence products, Adult incontinence products, Male incontinence products, Incontinence supplie