Do you feel that what you eat and drink might affect incontinence? They do in me.
I recorded together in one list things I ate and drank with the time of day, and quantity of urine and time of day.
I wrote down in time order, and recorded any medicines too.
I often experienced urgency, and recorded times to the nearest 15 minutes.
I recorded on most days for six weeks.
To approximate urine quantity, I counted when urinating – 1,2,3,4,…..
(Counting can be a proxy for volume if counting speed is relatively consistent, and if my body urinates at a similar rate of outflow most times. Each individual count will not mean a lot, and there will be fluctuation in count speed anyway.)
I worked out the time interval between the various drinks and foods and when I urinated to see any patterns related to types of foods.
For several years my count was less than 10, (which takes about 8 seconds).
At presently I average 14, sometimes 30.
I have Urgency sometimes, and very seldom Pain.
Getting up in the night is now twice a week rather than twice a night.
My other incontinence symptoms are seldom.
Recording allowed me to identify change in frequency and volume,
And possibly any foods or drinks that trigger incontinence.
I am not saying that foods cause incontinence, but I am saying foods may trigger symptoms.
Some drinks affect me in less than half an hour, while some foods affect me most next day, and a few for two or three days after.
In order of severity, I avoid;
Stimulants (coffee, tea, and dark chocolate), nuts, peas, onions and peppers, fruit high in fructose sugar eg raisins, manufactured foods containing fructose syrup, and fizzy drinks.
D-tox with fruit smoothies is not good for me either.
Is my incontinence cured? No, but my life is fairly normal now.
I still have most symptoms ocassionally, and I have yet to determine triggers for leaking before urinating and dribble after - celery might be affecting my bladder neck valve, mainly next day. Urgency on proximity (closeness) to a toilet, eg as I arrive home, is an unknown.
Artificial sweeteners too.
Exercise cycling or running appears to influence frequency for me.
And a cold floor surface such as tiles if I have no footwear can lead to urgency.
Your body may well have different triggers from mine,
but I do think coffee and tea (which contain caffeine) are likely to affect many people.