Diet and Bladder Pathophysiology

Abstract

The role that dietary factors play in the etiology of various diseases including overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), lower urinary tract syndrome (LUTS), and other urinary tract disorders is very important. The urinary bladder is an essential component of the genitourinary system that is adapted for reception, storage and excretion of large amounts of urine. Any disorder affecting the bladder negatively impacts an individual’s quality of life. There is an increasing incidence of urinary tract disorders, and this comes with the need to understand the influence of external factors/choices, in this case diet, on the structure and function of bladder.  There is not much literature on the impact of diet on normal bladder physiology, however, numerous studies are pointing to the role that diet has in the development of OAB, bladder outlet obstruction, LUTS and bladder cancer. This review examines the relationship between dietary macro/micro-nutrient choices and bladder physiology as well as the influence that dietary choices have regarding the incidence of various bladder pathophysiology.