Frequent Urination, Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, And Prevention!
Frequent Urination
Things You Need To Know About Frequent Urination:
Frequent urination is an inconvenient condition that can affect both men and women. It is sometimes called overactive bladder or urgent urination. If it happens at night, it is called nocturia. Frequent urination is usually treated by addressing the underlying cause.
Frequent urination can be the main problem or the symptom of another problem. It can cause embarrassment and inconvenience during the day, and sleep problems at night. It is usually manageable, often by dealing with the underlying condition.
Who Experiences Frequent Urination?
Urgent or Frequent urination can affect anyone. However, it is most common in men and women in middle-age or older. It is also common in pregnant women.
- The medical term for frequent urination at night is “nocturia.”
- The condition is different from enuresis, which is commonly referred to as bed-wetting.
- The difference is that nocturia involves actually being aroused and making two or more trips to the bathroom each night.
- It is a very common reason that many people do not get enough sleep at night.
- It seems to occur in older people most often.
- Those without the condition tend to sleep 7 or 8 hours before needing to get up and urinate.
- Those suffering from severe nocturia may visit the bathroom as many as 6 times during the night.
This,
urge to urinate frequently throughout the night is typically a sign of a medical condition. These may include an infection, a tumor in the bladder or kidneys, or bladder prolapse. Those suffering from liver or heart failure or uncontrolled diabetes may also experience frequent urination at night. Medications designed to treat symptoms of diabetes, pregnancy, and other conditions may also affect the number of nightly trips to the restroom.
General Causes Of Frequent Urination:
Urinating More Frequently Than Before? You May Be in Trouble.
Common Causes of These Symptoms are:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) This is the most common cause of frequent urination. The inflammation caused by the infection reduces the bladder’s ability to hold urine.
- Enlarged prostate in middle-aged and older men.
- Swelling and infection of the urethra.
- Vaginitis (swelling or discharge of the vulva and vagina) An inflammation of the vagina that causes the frequent need to urinate for women.
- Nerve-related problems.
- Caffeine intake.
Less Common Causes Include:
- Alcohol use.
- Anxiety.
- Bladder cancer (not common), Frequent urination is a rare symptom of bladder cancer. A more common symptom is blood in the urine.
- Spine problems.
- Diabetes that is not well controlled, Frequent urination can be a symptom of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- Pregnancy, Frequent urination is a harmless symptom of most pregnancies. As the uterus and baby grow, they place pressure on the bladder, causing the need to urinate.
- Interstitial cystitis.
- Medicines such as water pills (diuretics).
- Overactive bladder syndrome: A common cause of the frequent urgent need to urinate.
- Radiation therapy to the pelvis, which is used to treat certain cancers.
- Stroke and other brain or nervous system diseases, A stroke can damage nerves in the bladder and lead to frequent urination.
- Tumor or growth in the pelvis.
Symptoms Of Frequent Urination:
Fortunately for sufferers of frequent urination, symptoms are easily spotted. If you feel the need to urinate more than 4 to 8 times a day, there is a very likely chance that you have issues with frequent urination. It is important to check with your doctor if you are a normal healthy adult (non-pregnant) and urinate more frequently than 4 to 8 times a day. 
There are too many variations of the urinary problem to list all of the symptoms; the following are the main side effects and depending on which type you have these are mixed and matched accordingly.
Change In The Urine:
- Color.
- Texture.
- Consistency.
Physical Ailments:
- Pain.
- Irritation.
- Tiredness.
- Abdomen discomfort.
- Thirst.
- Lowered food intake.
- Problems with your sleep pattern.
- Low sex drive.
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
Call your provider right away if you have:
- A fever, back or side pain, vomiting or shaking chills.
- Increased thirst or appetite, fatigue, or sudden weight loss.
Also, call your provider if you have:
- Urinary frequency or urgency, but you are not pregnant and you are not drinking large amounts of fluid.
- Incontinence or you have changed your lifestyle because of your symptoms.
- Bloody or cloudy urine.
- A discharge from the penis or vagina.
Diagnosis And Tests:
Your doctor will first conduct a physical exam. He or she will usually ask questions such as:
- What medicines are you taking?
- How much fluid do you usually drink?
- Are you drinking more than usual?
- Do you drink alcohol or caffeine?
He or she will then usually take a urine sample to conduct a urinalysis to check for bacteria, white blood cells – which could indicate infection – and other compounds that may be present in your urine. Most UTIs will be diagnosed this way.
The doctor may do other tests, including a cystoscopy, to look inside your bladder. Another test is cystometry, which checks the muscles of the bladder. You may have an ultrasound to view the bladder and other organs. The ultrasound will show tumors or other causes that might lead to frequent urination. Based on his or her findings, you will be given a prescription, a treatment plan, or further tests.
Treatment Of Frequent Urination:
Frequent urination is usually treated by addressing the underlying cause.
Treatment for frequent urination will usually address the underlying problem that is causing the condition. For example, antibiotics will be used to treat a UTI. If you are found to have diabetes or a prostate problem, you will most likely be told to see a specialist in those conditions.
If your doctor sees that your condition is caused by overactive bladder syndrome, you may be prescribed a medicine such as Ditropan or Vesicare to help calm your bladder. He or she may also advise lifestyle changes or exercises that may help decrease the frequency of your need to urinate.
These include:
- Avoiding drinking fluids before bed.
- Reducing your alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- Kegel exercises to strengthen the bladder muscles. These are often prescribed to women who have given birth vaginally to strengthen their pelvic muscles.
You may also be told to use an adult undergarment for a short period of time while you are treating the underlying condition.
How to Deal With Frequent Urination?
- In order to deal with frequent urination at night, it is important that you severely limit the amount of beverages you consume 2 to 3 hours before going to bed.
- Alcohol and coffee should be eliminated from your diet, or at least limited to the morning and early afternoon to prevent the need to urinate frequently while you are trying to sleep.
- Keeping a journal of how much you drink and the times can help you regulate your body so that you do not need to go to the restroom more than once or twice at night.
When,
The need to urinate frequently becomes too much of an annoyance to deal with on your own, you may want to seek a doctor for medical advice. Along with the beverage journal, it is recommended that you write down each time you urinate. Take this information with you to your doctor’s appointment so he can review the log. Be sure to mention any daytime tiredness you may be feeling.
Frequent urination, at night, can be a very annoying problem.
It is best that you seek treatment as soon as possible. This will help you stay awake and alert during the day. The first step is to cut back on the amount of liquids you consume. If that does not help, see a doctor for more assistance. With so many different causes of the ailment, there is usually no telling what is causing the problem in your case.
Frequent Urination in Men:
Frequent urination in men is a condition which sees a man needing to urinate more often than the average man, and he will often feel as though his bladder has not drained out completely. In other words, even though he may have just been to the bathroom to urinate, it will still feel as if he needs to pass some more urine, and yet when he tries, nothing comes out.
It is Estimated That,
the average man urinates approximately six times per day, whereas those who suffer from frequent urination may need to use the bathroom ten or more times each day. Another indication of frequent urination in men is when they are no longer able to sleep through the night without having to get up to use the bathroom.
In severe cases, some men will wake up several times each night simply because it’s impossible for them to sleep the feeling of urgency they experience. Let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the possible causes for frequent urination in men:
I. Urinary Tract Infection:
The reason why we’re looking at this condition first is simply that it’s the most common culprit. The infection is caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract. If left unchecked, the infection begins to spread, and as it does, it causes inflammation in the urethra and the bladder which in turn results in urinary spasms. Fortunately, however, these infections are relatively easy to treat if caught in the early stages.
II. Prostate Health:
Prostate-related problems are also a leading cause of frequent urination in men, but contrary to what many believe, it’s not always because of cancer. In fact, older men frequently have to deal with an enlarged prostate gland, hence the reason why men over the age of 40 should go for regular check-ups, and they should certainly go for an examination if they’re experiencing frequent urination issues.
III. Diabetes:
Diabetes goes hand in hand with frequent urination. This is essential because the body is attempting to rid itself of all the extra blood sugar. In fact, this process often results in excessive thirst as well, and of course, the more you quench your thirst, the more you need to go to the bathroom.
IV. Prescription Drugs:
Frequent urination in men is often caused by some or other form of medication. If you’re urination more than you should be, and you’re on prescription medication, then that is the first place to start looking when you’re trying to determine the cause.
In fact, some over-the-counter medications can cause you to urinate more frequently. For example, vitamin C is a natural diuretic, and if taken in large enough quantities, it can have you running for the bathroom more often than usual.
Those issues,
which have been mentioned above are often to blame for frequent urination in men, but of course, the condition can also be due to actual bladder problems, hence the reason why you should consider going to see a doctor if the condition persists.
And if you’re consuming vast amounts of tea, coffee, alcohol, or in fact any type of liquid, then frequent urination is something you’ll be unable to avoid, unless you change your habit.
Frequent Urination in Women:
Many women deal with the problem of frequent urination which is troublesome especially at night. Urination is a natural process through which the body throws out the waste fluid but frequent urination in women can sometimes be something of concern.
An overactive bladder may have other symptoms like burning sensation or pain associated with it in some cases. Frequent trips to the bathroom can be a source of embarrassment and inconvenience to the woman.
Causes – There could be many reasons which lead to this condition in women. Some of the causes of frequent urination in women are as follows:
1. Hormonal Changes:
Women experience hormonal changes at many stages of their life. When these hormonal changes or imbalances occur, some side effects occur too. During pregnancy and menopause, the changes in the hormonal level can reduce the ability of the bladder to stretch therefore causing frequent urination in women.
2. Urinary Tract Infection:
This infection is commonly seen in women and it causes the urge to urinate frequently sometimes accompanied by pain and burning sensation.
3. Diseases:
Some underlying disease may be the cause of this condition. Diseases such as uterine tumors, ovarian diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and diabetes can constrict the bladder resulting in feeling or urge to urinate frequently.
4. Obstruction:
Stones in the kidney or the gall bladder can cause an obstruction in urinating, therefore, causing the frequent urge of urination. Even in pregnancy, the uterus expands and makes urination didifficult, and frequent.
5. Water:
Drinking too much water is also a cause of frequent urination in women. Once the bladder is full to its capacity, one will have to empty it.
Other reasons may include ovarian cysts, increased levels of calcium, chronic renal failure, high blood pressure and sometimes psychological causes like stress and anxiety.
This condition can be cured by making a few lifestyle changes without any medications. Eating the right kind of food and avoiding alcohol and caffeinated drinks can help to a great deal. A way to treat this condition is by using natural remedies.
Feeling what You Drink?
Research Update: 2013
Study:
A. A new report suggests that,
Limiting the intake of caffeinated beverages may help stave off the troublesome bladder and urinary symptoms. Many women and men live with symptoms affecting the lower urinary tract, such as frequent or urgent urination, needing to get up multiple times at night to urinate, and problems with voiding, such as a weak urinary stream or failure to empty the bladder completely.
B. Dietary advice for people with these symptoms often includes:
Avoiding caffeinated, carbonated, and citrus beverages because these drinks can irritate the bladder and therefore might also contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms; however, direct evidence for this association is limited. The Boston Area Community Health Survey (BACH) is a population-based study in white, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic black adults designed to assess the prevalence and determinants of urological symptoms.
C. Researchers analyzed dietary and symptom data,
Collected from over 4,000 BACH study participants at both study entry (baseline) and about five years later to see if they could uncover any relationships between types and amounts of beverages (coffee, juice, and carbonated soda, including diet sodas and decaffeinated/caffeine-free coffee and soda) and several lower urinary tract symptoms.
D. They found that,
Men reporting higher average caffeinated coffee or total caffeine consumption in the year prior to baseline—e.g., more than two cups of coffee per day versus none—had a greater likelihood of symptom progression five years later, particularly symptoms of frequency and urgency. Drinking citrus juice, however, was associated with a lower risk of symptom progression in men.
E. When they looked at changes in beverage consumption,
The researchers found that women and men who increased their total coffee intake by at least two servings per day between baseline and the five-year follow-up were more likely to have a progression of urgency and frequency symptoms compared to those who had smaller changes in consumption; also, women who increased their total consumption of soda by at least two servings per day were more likely to have worsening of urgency symptoms.
F. The researchers also,
Examined short-term relationships between beverage intake and symptoms, and found that women and men who drank more than two cups of coffee or soda per day within the week prior to symptom assessment were more likely to have symptoms than those who did not; caffeinated diet soda appeared to affect women’s symptoms at even lower consumption.
G. While additional studies,
Are needed to verify these observations, the findings support current recommendations about limiting coffee and soda intake to help manage lower urinary tract symptoms and suggest that there are dietary components to be further explored for how they may cause urologic symptoms or, in the case of citrus juice consumption by men, possibly provide protection.
Natural Remedies:
Frequent urination in men and women can be cured by using these natural remedies:
- Intake of cranberry juice is effective in treating infections of the kidney.
- Vitamin C: Eat food and fruits rich in vitamin C to prevent bacterial infection which can result in frequent urination.
- Exercises: Do exercises that strengthen the muscles and health of the bladder.
- Juice: Juices of carrots and grapes help to clear the urinary tract.
- Avoid high sugar drinks and caffeinated drinks.
- Avoid the intake of water and other fluids before going to sleep.
- Eat yogurt regularly which contains the good bacteria needed by our body.
- Pumpkin seeds are rich in fatty acids which have a beneficial effect on the health of the bladder.
- The herb St John’s Wort is effective in the condition of frequent urination in women.
- Eat food that is high in fiber and avoids food that is diuretic.
- Kegels exercises help to strengthen the pelvic muscles for better bladder control and reduce the urgency to urinate.
Simple and natural remedies like these above can help you overcome the condition of frequent urination in men and women.
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Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
Alternative Names:
Urgent urination; Urinary frequency or urgency; Urgency-frequency syndrome; Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome; Urge syndrome.
References
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