Diaper rash is one of the most common ailments caused by incontinence. Prolonged exposure to moisture, frequent friction, and the nature of the diaper’s material are three main reasons for diaper rash. However, not a lot of people are aware that your diet can also cause cases of diaper rash.
There are certain foods that alleviate the stomach’s digestive acids and may cause gastronomical problems. Therefore, it is essential to identify the role of diet in incontinence and avoid the food that could make the condition worse.
This comprehensive guide is going to investigate foods that you should include and refrain from to manage incontinence and avoid diaper rash.
What is Incontinence, and How Can It Cause Diaper Rash?
Incontinence is defined as uncontrolled leakage. Adult incontinence is an indication of another issue, not an illness in itself. There are five forms of incontinence, and each manifests slightly differently:
- Urge Incontinence: This type of incontinence is also known as overactive bladder; it occurs when you have a sudden and overwhelming need to urinate.
- Stress Incontinence: A cough, sneeze, or chuckle might cause you to leak pee.
- Overflow Incontinence: Urine frequently dribbles out, and you can’t completely empty your bladder when you use the restroom.
- Functional Incontinence: It occurs when a condition such as arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease stops you from going to the restroom on time.
- Mixed Incontinence: In this type of incontinence, you could suffer from both stress and urge incontinence.
People suffering from any of these types of incontinence have to use adult diapers, which can lead to diaper rash or diaper dermatitis. Diaper rash is abrasive redness and swelling around the groin region that occurs due to frequent friction and exposure to moisture.
Many people browse the internet to find remedies on how to get rid of diaper rash. However, this search for remedies can be replaced with preventive measures that can help you manage incontinence better, such as adopting suitable dietary restrictions.
Beverages To Look Out For
When you have urinary incontinence, one of the first things you should think about in your diet is beverages. Drink the appropriate quantity of water, as dehydration can irritate your bladder, and drinking too much can also be harmful.
You might wish to track your hydration intake for a few days. A fluid diary can aid in detecting patterns and identifying issues.
The effects of caffeine on urine urgency have been studied; however, the results are equivocal. Cutting caffeine does benefit some people, and there’s no harm in finding out whether you’re one of them. Carbonated drinks, caffeinated and non-caffeinated, might irritate your bladder. Removing them from your diet may improve your symptoms.
Alcohol also has an effect on the instructions sent from the brain to the bladder, which tells it when to retain pee and when to let it. Amy Rosenman, MD, an assistant clinical professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, states, “If you have alcohol on board, there is less control over that signaling, and you are more likely to have an accident.”
According to Rosenman, most individuals choose to abstain from alcohol entirely, while some can tolerate a limited amount. It’s preferable to cease completely. Then, gradually bring it back to see how much is too much for you.
Foods To Avoid
The National Association for Continence reports that certain diets are associated with urine incontinence. Some of these foods include:
- Citrus fruits are quite acidic, which might be difficult on the digestive tract. Avoid oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and citrus juices.
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products: Like other extremely acidic ingredients, tomatoes can exacerbate diaper rash symptoms. You should also avoid tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, soup, and ketchup.
- Strawberries have a pleasant flavor, but their acidity might disturb your digestive system.
- Pineapples and other sour fruits: Just because pineapple is acidic does not imply that you avoid other tropical fruits.
It is crucial to remember that not all meals related to bladder discomfort are harmful to everyone. You may discover that you tolerate milk well, but you should avoid citrus as everyone has different compatibility.
You could discover that maintaining a food log helps you identify which foods upset your body and might help you identify problems.
Choose A Balanced Diet
One of the most essential strategies to improve your general health is to eat a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, lean protein, vegetables, and fruit in the proper amounts. If you want to reduce weight, a nutritious and well-balanced diet is essential.
A balanced diet can also help with symptoms of constipation, which can be a contributing factor to urine incontinence. Increasing your intake of veggies and fruits can help you ingest more fiber, and a fiber-rich diet is generally healthful.
Conclusion
Diaper rash is a pretty common ailment that affects people with incontinence. While there are several methods to relieve diaper rash, it is better to opt for preventive measures that eliminate diaper rash from occurring in the first place.
Certain foods like citrus fruits, caffeinated drinks, and acidic foods can cause bladder discomfort and increase incontinence. Therefore, you should avoid these types of foods and other items that may upset your bladder and opt for a balanced diet that can alleviate incontinence.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
