Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

July 14

Caffeine Side Effect

It may not come as a surprise to find out that caffeine can increase the urge to go to the bathroom.

But a new report published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the women who consumed the most caffeine were more likely to be the ones that had an unstable bladder.

The researchers found that drinking the equivalent of 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an increased risk of incontinence. They concluded that women should avoid consuming more than 400 mg per day. A cup of caffeinated coffee has about 130 mg, a cup of tea has about 40 mg and cola drinks contain about 24 mg of caffeine. And don’t forget that a chocolate bar has about 40 mg.

Incontinence can be caused by a number of factors. It can be the only symptom of a urinary tract infection, or it can be caused by certain medications, like diuretics. Incontinence can also be caused by a problem with the bladder muscles, or neurologic problems, like stroke. A large prostate can block the urethra, which passes urine from the bladder. Women are more likely to have incontinence because of childbirth, hormonal changes during menopause, and just the way the female urinary tract is structured.

Incontinence is a common problem, and as our population ages, it will become even more common. But it’s not “normal”. If this is a problem for you, speak with your doctor. The good news is that incontinence is treatable.

What are some of the treatments?

The treatment will depend on the cause.

That’s why it’s so important to have the proper diagnosis. For example, if it’s an infection, then antibiotics can be prescribed. Certain types of incontinence can be treated by simple bladder training, and there are also medicines and devices that can be used. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine may help. Women who have just had a baby should try to do those exercises the doctor prescribed to strengthen the pelvic muscles—you’ll be thankful later on.

RESOURCES:

Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2000 Jul;98(1):85-9

Incontinence Can Be Controlled
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/597_urin.html

Incontinence: A Patient’s Guide
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
text.nlm.nih.gov/ftrs/pick?collect=ahcpr&dbName=cuip&cd=1&t=963605252

Urinary Incontinence in Women
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/urolog/pubs/uiwomen/uiwomen.htm

July 14
Caffeine Side Effect
	It may not come as a surprise to find out that caffeine can increase the urge to go to the bathroom. But a new report published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the women who consumed the most caffeine were more likely to be the ones that had an unstable bladder. The researchers found that drinking the equivalent of 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an increased risk of incontinence. They concluded that women should avoid consuming more than 400 mg per day. A cup of caffeinated coffee has about 130 mg, a cup of tea has about 40 mg and cola drinks contain about 24 mg of caffeine. And don’t forget that a chocolate bar has about 40 mg. Incontinence can be caused by a number of factors. It can be the only symptom of a urinary tract infection, or it can be caused by certain medications, like diuretics. Incontinence can also be caused by a problem with the bladder muscles, or neurologic problems, like stroke. A large prostate can block the urethra, which passes urine from the bladder. Women are more likely to have incontinence because of childbirth, hormonal changes during menopause, and just the way the female urinary tract is structured. Incontinence is a common problem, and as our population ages, it will become even more common. But it’s not “normal”. If this is a problem for you, speak with your doctor. The good news is that incontinence is treatable.

	What are some of the treatments? The treatment will depend on the cause. That’s why it’s so important to have the proper diagnosis. For example, if it’s an infection, then antibiotics can be prescribed. Certain types of incontinence can be treated by simple bladder training, and there are also medicines and devices that can be used. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine may help. Women who have just had a baby should try to do those exercises the doctor prescribed to strengthen the pelvic muscles—you’ll be thankful later on.
	RESOURCES: Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2000 Jul;98(1):85-9 Incontinence Can Be Controlled U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/597_urin.html Incontinence: A Patient’s Guide Agency for Health Care Policy and Research text.nlm.nih.gov/ftrs/pick?collect=ahcpr&dbName=cuip&cd=1&t=963605252 Urinary Incontinence in Women National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse www.niddk.nih.gov/health/urolog/pubs/uiwomen/uiwomen.htm