Frequent urination is the condition in which a person needs to urinate more than anyone normally would. The urgency to urinate strikes suddenly that can cause you to lose control of your bladder. It can feel like your bladder is extremely full which can be uncomfortable.
This condition is also referred to as having an overactive bladder. Urologists consider going more than 8 times in a day to be frequent urination.
The key to treating frequent urination is to address the underlying cause.
Causes Of Frequent Urination
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition which can cause frequent urination. This happens because bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra.
- Women are more prone to UTI than men because women urethras are shorter. So, bacteria have less distance to travel and they can infect the urinary tract which can cause symptoms.
Risk Factors For A UTI Are:
- no proper hydration
- holding urine for prolonged periods or not fully emptying bladder
- vaginal irritation and inflammation of the vagina
- improper cleaning or wiping after using the toilet, which can expose the urethra to E. coli bacteria
- Having sexual intercourse, which will introduce bacteria into the urinary tract
- Certain changes in the system of the urinary system, such as during pregnancy
- Prolong medical problems, such as diabetes, that drastically affect the immune system.
Overactive Bladder (OAB)
An overactive bladder (OAB) can be another reason for frequent urination. According to the American Urological Association, an estimated 33M Americans have an overactive bladder. This can affect about 40 percent of women in the United States.
Overactive bladder is a condition where there is a collection of symptoms that can lead to frequent urination which is the result of overactive bladder muscles. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden urinary urgency which can sometimes results in leaks
- nocturia, during which there is a need to urinate more than two times a night
- frequency of urination, or going to the bathroom at least eight times a day.
There are many causes of an overactive bladder which can include:
- injuries near urinary tract
- conditions that affects nerves, muscles and tissues, such as a stroke or condition of multiple sclerosis (MS)
- estrogen deficiency which occurs after menopause
- excessive body weight that can place extra pressure on the bladder.
Other Causes
Other causes of frequent urination includes:
- stones in the bladder
- diabetes
- interstitial cystitis
- weakened pelvic muscles
- Excessive intake of caffeine, artificial sweeteners, nicotine, and alcohol which may irritate the bladder walls that can worsen frequent urination symptoms.
Symptoms Of Frequent Urination
Your symptoms of frequent urination depend on the cause.
UTI Symptoms
- Sudden need to urinate
- pain or burning while urinating
- strong-smelling urine
- lower abdominal pain while urinating
- blood in the urine
- fever and chills
- loss of control in the bladder
- nausea
- OAB symptoms
Other Symptoms Include:
- leaking urine
- nocturia
- Unable to control urine pressure
Diagnosis And Testing Of Frequent Urination
Your doctor will conduct an exam of your abdomen and pelvis. This will include a pelvic exam and evaluation of urethra and vagina.
Other tests that can be useful include:
Bladder Scan. This is an ultrasound done on patients bladder after they have urinated to see how much urine is left behind.
Cystoscopy. In this test lighted instruments are used, so that doctors can take a closer look inside the bladder as well as take tissue samples if necessary.
Urinary testing (Urodynamic Testing). This test involves a variety of testing to see how well the urinary system is working.
Treatment For Frequent Urination
- Treatment for frequent urination depends on its cause. Firstly, doctors will treat any primary disease causing frequent urination. If an infection is seen, then your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
- Medications that help to control the muscle spasms in the bladder can reduce urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control.
- Physicians also may suggest doing physical activity like pelvic exercises, such as Kegels or bladder retraining exercises which can help to delay urination.
- Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of healing method that can be used to treat illness for centuries. A common use of acupuncture is for urinary conditions such as OAB and urinary incontinence.
Prevention Of Frequent Urination
There are some steps to reduce your likelihood of developing frequent urination. You can avoid use of certain foods and drinks closer to nighttime that can increase the likelihood of nocturia. The following are the examples:
- alcohol intake
- citrus juices
- coffee or caffeine
- tea or chai
- tomatoes and tomato-based products
- artificial sweeteners
- Constipation also contributes to frequent urination because it puts pressure on the bladder, so try to increase the intake of fiber in your diet