What is frequent urination?
Frequent urination or polyuria is the need to urinate more often than usual. Frequent urination can have causes that are not due to an underlying disease. Examples include
- Drinking large amounts of fluids
- Consuming caffeine
- Pregnancy
- Anxiety
Frequent urination can indicate underlying issues like diabetes, urinary tract infection, enlarged prostate, or medication side effects. It affects all ages and may come with urine odor or a burning sensation.
Nocturia, frequent nighttime urination, is common in older men. Seek medical help if accompanied by fever, pain, bloody urine, or changes in alertness.
What are the causes of frequent urination:
The following are the some of causes of frequent urination includes:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus
- Prostate problems
- Pregnancy
- Stress incontinence
- Interstitial cystitis
- Bladder cancer
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB)
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Get A Second OpinionUrinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection:
The lining of the urethra and the bladder become inflamed and irritated because of the byproducts of infection. This bladder wall irritation causes the urge to empty the bladder frequently.
The amount of urine during each emptying is often less than usual.
Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus:
An early symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be frequent urination as the body tries to get rid of unused glucose through urine. Diabetes can also damage the nerves that control the bladder, causing frequent urination and difficulty controlling your bladder.
Use of diuretics: Medicines used to treat high blood pressure or fluid buildup work in the kidneys and remove excess fluid from the body, causing frequent urination.
Prostate problems:
- An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra and block the flow of urine, irritating the bladder wall.
- The bladder contracts even when it contains small amounts of urine, resulting in more frequent urination.
Pregnancy:
- Hormonal changes and the growth of the uterus that put pressure on the bladder cause frequent urination, even in the first weeks of gestation.
- The trauma of vaginal childbirth can also damage the urethra.
Stress incontinence
This condition mainly occurs in women. The involuntary release of urine during physical activity, such as running, coughing, sneezing, and even laughing, is characteristic of stress incontinence.
Interstitial cystitis:
This condition is characterized by pain in the bladder and pelvic area, often leading to frequent urination.
Stroke or other neurological diseases:
Damage to the nerves that supply the bladder can lead to problems with bladder function, including frequent and sudden urges to urinate.
Bladder cancer
Tumors that take up space or cause bleeding in the bladder can cause more frequent urination.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Bladder dysfunction, including frequent urination, can occur in at least 80% of patients with MS. MS lesions can block or interrupt the transmission of nerve signals that control the bladder and urinary sphincters.
Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB)
Frequent urination is itself the problem. Involuntary bladder contractions cause frequent and often urgent urination, even if the bladder is not full.
Drinking too much
Ingesting more fluids than your body needs can cause the body to urinate more often.
Artificial Sweeteners, Alcohol, Caffeine, and Other Foods
Alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, and citrus fruits can all increase urination frequency. Other causes include anxiety, bladder or kidney stones, urethral stricture, pelvic radiation, diverticulitis, and STIs.
Treatment for frequent urination
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For diabetes, managing blood sugar is key. Antibiotics treat kidney infections, while overactive bladder may require anticholinergic medication. Behavioral techniques may complement medical therapy.
Bladder training and exercises:
Bladder training treat frequent urination rather than an underlying cause. These include:
Kegel exercises:
Regular daily exercises, often done around pregnancy, can strengthen the pelvic and urethra muscles and support the bladder. For best results, perform Kegel exercises 10 to 20 times per set, three times daily, for at least 4 to 8 weeks.
Biofeedback:
Used alongside Kegel exercises, biofeedback therapy allows the patient to become more aware of how their body functions. This increased awareness can help the patient to improve control of their pelvic muscles.
Bladder Training:
This involves training the bladder to hold urine longer. The training usually lasts 2 to 3 months.
Monitoring fluid intake:
This may show that drinking a lot at certain times is the main cause of frequent urination.
Diagnosis of frequent urination
Your doctor will do tests to find out what causes you to urinate frequently. They will ask you a few questions, such as:
- When did your symptoms start?
- How often do you urinate?
- What other symptoms are you experiencing?
- Do you have unexpected urine leaks and in which situations?
- Your doctor will likely ask you for a urine sample to look for infection, blood, or other abnormalities such as protein or sugar.
- Your doctor will also do an exam of your abdomen and pelvis. This will likely include a pelvic exam and an evaluation of your urethra and vagina.
Other tests that may be helpful include:
- Bladder scan: This is an ultrasound done on your bladder after you pass urine to see how much urine is left.
- Cystoscopy: Using a lighted instrument, the doctor can look closer at the inside of the bladder and take tissue samples if necessary.
- Urine test (urodynamic test): It involves a variety of tests that seek to see how the urinary system works.
When to see a Doctor?
Make an appointment with your doctor if you urinate more often than usual and if:
- There is no apparent cause, such as drinking more fluids, alcohol, or caffeine
- The problem is interfering with your sleep or daily activities
- You have other urinary problems or worrying symptoms
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have frequent urination accompanied by any of these signs or signs:
- Blood in your urine
- Red or dark brown urine
- Painful urination
- Pain in the side, lower abdomen, or groin
- Difficulty urinating or emptying your bladder
- A strong urge to urinate
- Loss of bladder control
- Fever
Urinary tract disorders, as well as other serious illnesses or health problems, can cause the above signs or symptoms. Seek medical help to determine what is causing your frequent urination and how to treat it.
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Book an AppointmentHome Remedies for frequent urination:
Frequent urination has been identified as one of the causes of urinary tract infection (UTI), insomnia (due to nocturia) and it is also considered a symptom of enlarged prostate in men.
These 5 Ayurvedic home remedies for frequent urination:
Sesame seeds:
Sesame seed is a rich source of minerals and many active ingredients that regulate the functions of the bladder.
To take sesame for frequent urination, mix it with jaggery and eat it twice or thrice daily.
Amla:
Amla cleanses and tones the bladder muscles to improve involuntary urination control. For best results, grind some Amla, extract the juice, and mix it with honey.
Consume this juice with a ripe banana two or three times a day to see good results.
Tulsi:
In some cases, frequent urination can be caused by a bladder infection. Tulsi works very effectively to stop bladder infections and help regulate urinary function.
Early in the morning, crush 2-3 fresh leaves and take with a spoon of honey.
Cumin:
Cumin regulates bladder functions and prevents urinary tract infections. Take cumin in the form of tea. Boil 1 teaspoon in 2 cups of clean water until the water is reduced by half.
Let it cool, crush the seeds with a spoon, and strain. You can drink this with a little honey twice a day instead of regular tea.
Reetha:
Aside from being great for hair, Reetha also effectively manages frequent urination. Soak Reetha overnight and drink it early the next morning on an empty stomach for a week to relieve frequent urination.
