Dr. Nicole Sundene
Bladder problems are a common and frustrating Women's Health condition that can be a sign of Hormone Imbalance and Poor Immunity. Women often complain to me about their ongoing bladder problems that have not been solved by visiting a Urologist.
As someone that used to assist a Urologist many years ago I know that Urology is great for severe issues such as prostate cancer and bladder cancer, yet it often fails the patients with chronic bladder problems and chronic bladder pain because there are few medications that can help the annoying and irritating bladder symptoms. that they have to use the bathroom urgently, have bladder pain, frequent infections.
If you have a bladder problem occasionally it is not a big deal and is considered normal, but women that constantly are experiencing bladder problems are better served by working with a Naturoapathic Doctor as Herbal Medicine can help to improve immunity and also soothe the bladder.
Many herbal medicines can provide immediate relief for bladder problems unlike in conventional medicine there are limited options to help women with their chronic bladder pain.
The symptoms of interstitial cystitis and irritable bladder can often improve from avoiding certain foods thought to specifically aggravate this condition.
Be sure to see your Women's Health Naturopathic Doctor if you are suffering with chronic bladder problems such as: chronic urgency, frequency, and burning pain involved in these conditions. While the list of foods below can help relieve chronic bladder pain, bladder pain can be a concerning symptom that can indicate greater issues with the patient's Immune System, Hormones and Muscle Tone of the Pelvic Floor.
1. For rapid relief of discomfort, take 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in one cup of water. This helps to prevent urine acids from interacting with damaged tissue. This is not an adequate long term solution though as it can interfere with absorption of iron, magnesium, calcium, and minerals.
2. Drink plenty of water to dilute urine.
3. Ice packs or heating pads may help to ease pain.
4. Kegels: TEN Squeezes of the pelvic floor muscles used to stop the flow of urine should be done 3 times daily. Attach your Kegels to an activity you are constantly bored with such as 1) Waiting at a stop sign 2) Standing in line at the store 3) Waiting on hold on the phone. Women cannot do too many Kegels but failure to exercise the muscles that support the bladder will only make bladder problems worse as a woman ages because gravity will eventually win and the bladder as it continues to sag down through weak pelvic floor muscles will only become more painful, problematic and incontinent. The future of female patients with bladder problems that do not do their Kegels is grim as they may even need surgery or a "Bladder Sling" to support the prolapsing bladder. This can all be prevented by staying committed to doing Kegels three times daily.
5. Avoid foods that tend to cause bladder problems for two to three months or until the bladder pain has diminished. I have found that it is best for my patients to continue eliminating the irritants well past symptom resolution to insure the bladder pain does not return.
6. Add healing demulcent herbs or mucilaginouis herbs to your regime such as my "Cornsilk Tea Recipe" for bladder pain.
The patient can then test each food by eating high amounts of it three times daily for three days to determine if the food is specifically irritating their bladder. Not all foods on the list will irritate the bladder. Women occasionally will eat a combination of the wrong foods for the bladder and find their symptoms are worse. Avoid eating a combination of these foods at any one meal or in any given day to keep your bladder problems at a minimal level.
While many of the foods on the list are healthy foods my patients do not want to avoid, I recommend focusing on the elimination of: Spicy foods, Caffeine, Citrus, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Gluten, Dairy, Chocolate, Tomatoes and Nightshades as the most common offenders my female patients complain of being the cause of their bladder problems.
By simply avoiding caffeine, tomatoes and spicy foods many women have their bladder problems immediately under control. If this is not the case please schedule an appointment with me or your Naturopathic Doctor immediately so we can analyze your bladder problems and address them at the ROOT CAUSE. The foods listed below contain amino acids and/or other acids which contribute to bladder destruction and discomfort.
Some foods may be more irritating for certain individuals than others. Avoid all foods listed below the best you can until symptoms have resolved before challenging them to determine if they are the cause of the bladder problems. You should be off each food for a minimum of two weeks before challenging.
The challenge phase involves reintroducing a food you want to eat again three times daily for three days while watching if your bladder symptoms flare. If not you can eat them moderately. Some spicy and acidic foods are best to just avoid completely in my humble opinion as a Women's Health Naturopath.
FOODS TO AVOID FOR BLADDER PROBLEMS
Please schedule an appointment to resolve your bladder problems at the ROOT CAUSE. If you need a Naturopathic Doctor that is a Female Hormone Specialist to assist you with your bladder problems or ongoing Female Urology complaints I would be delighted to help you as I have a very high success rate helping women with their bladder problems for over fourteen years and nothing brings me more joy than to help women gain control of their bladder and not have to live a constant victim of their bladder problems and worry they will not be able to find a restroom fast enough due to urgency, incontinence and other bladder symptoms.
Chronic bladder problems are best served by a Naturopathic Doctor!
Dr. Nicole Sundene
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Specialist in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!
