The following article appears in the December 1998 issue of Outspoken and is reprinted here with permission from The Robson Clinic and The Canadian Paraplegic Association of Ontario. A spotlight on the Charles J. Robson Clinic, Lyndhurst Spinal Cord CentreCaffeine is a potent drug which causes smooth muscle contraction, having an effect on both the bowel and bladder. For patients who have a tendency towards incontinence between intermittent catheterizations, then the caffeine might just increase the amount of incontinence. Certainly, it may counteract the effects of such drugs as Ditropan, which are meant to keep the bladder relaxed. CAFFEINE
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, increasing the amount of urine output. This puts extra strain on the bladder by increasing the volume. If you are on an intermittent catheterization (IC) program, drinking extra cups of coffee, tea or cola will increase the volumes of urine, resulting in more frequent IC’s.
We also know that caffeine can make people more prone to getting bladder infections. The reason for this is unclear, however it is more common in children than in adults. If you have recurrent bladder infections, reducing the amount of caffeine may help.
In conclusion, caffeine does have a beneficial effect in terms of making a person more alert, but this should be balanced with the negative effects on the bladder. Enjoy your coffee, tea or cola, but if any of these problems are occurring then caffeine could be the cause and should be reduced.
If you have any questions please call the Robson Clinic at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Lyndhurst Center. Our telephone number is 416 597-3422 extension 6218.
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