Many men, women and children experience symptoms of over-active bladder, but as we age, it seems to get worse for some! People don't realize how foods, stress, hormones, and pathogens can irritate and damage the bladder causing urgency issues.

1) Foods: Some food sensitivities manifest as frequent urination. It could be wheat, dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, or even a vegetable like cauliflower. Some people are sensitive to the sulfur/cabbage family of vegetables. Also, coffee and teas are very dehydrating and a natural diuretic. Herbal teas have grasses and herbs in them that can be part of the problem. The best thing to do is an elimination diet. Start with some of the most inflammatory foods such as wheat, dairy, soy and sugar. Then, see if the frequency lessens. Listen to your body and keep a journal to see how your body reacts to certain foods and beverages you consume. Support from a nutritional counselor is beneficial as well to find out more about your sensitivities.

2) Pathogens: Bacteria, yeast/candida and uric acid are a real trigger for bladder problems. The bladder is downstream so to speak from the kidneys. If the kidneys are having trouble clearing uric acid or is full of bacteria, then the bladder will be affected. A low purine diet for the uric acid may take the pressure off the kidneys, and then the bladder. The E-Coli bacteria grows in the urinary tract and is the cause of chronic bladder infections. Sugars of any kind can feed E-Coli, but a product called D-Mannose will make the walls of the urinary tract slippery and help release the bacteria. Candida or yeast is caused by a high sugar or yeast diet. Breads, wine, fruit, and refined carbohydrates all contribute to an overgrowth. Also repeated antibiotic use will trigger a yeast overgrowth, so maintaining a healthy gut flora with good pre- and pro-biotics is so important.

3) Hormones: Hormone imbalances can lead to bladder issues. Women as we age lose estrogen. When that happens, it may cause the bladder walls to thin and become more brittle. The compounding pharmacy can make up an E3 formula cream that can be used to help rebuild the bladder.

In conclusion, healthy diet, proper fluid intake, no refined sugars, limit coffee and teas is a good place to start. Seeing a nutritional counselor will be able to help pinpoint issues and help heal the body with proper professional nutritional supplements and homeopathic remedies as well.