Getting to bottom of frequent urination

Maxwell Adeyemi

FREQUENT urination can feel disruptive and frustrating, especially when it interferes with daily activities or sleep. While it’s normal to visit the bathroom several times a day, an excessive urge to urinate may signal an underlying health issue. To find the right solution, you first identify the cause.

1. Infections in the Urinary Tract

One of the most common causes of frequent urination is urinary tract infection. Bacteria in the urinary tract may irritate the bladder wall, causing frequent urination. Other symptoms like painful urination, cloudy urine, or pelvic pain usually accompany this.

2. Diabetes

Diabetes may also present itself as frequent urination, especially in combination with excessive thirst. High glucose levels force the kidneys to filter and remove the excess sugar from the body, a process that requires more liquid, leading to increased production of urine.

3. Overactive bladder

Wondering why you are passing urine so much all of a sudden? It could be because of an overactive bladder. It occurs through involuntary contraction of the bladder muscle even when the bladder is full. This urgency may interrupt daily life multiple times throughout the day or at night.

4. Pregnancy

Increased urination is often the result of the growing uterus pressing on the bladder, but hormonal changes during pregnancy can also contribute to this symptom. Although frequent urination is a normal part of pregnancy, it can be bothersome for many expecting mothers.

5. Bladder stones

Bladder stones are pebbles formed by minerals which crystallise in the bladder and irritate its walls. They may cause frequent urination and sometimes cause a feeling of lower abdominal pains, blood in the urine, or difficulty urinating.

6. Diuretics

It could be due to some medications that work to increase urine production by causing the body to urinate more often. For instance, diuretics control hypertension by increasing urine formation. Although they do serve their purpose, these can result in frequent urination.

7. Interstitial cystitis

This condition is also referred to as bladder pain syndrome, with symptoms including frequent urination and pelvic discomfort. Since interstitial cystitis is not an infection like a urinary tract infection, this condition tends to be chronic and needs to be handled differently.

8. Anxiety and stress

Stress and anxiety can cause your bladder health to be compromised. The body’s fight-or-flight response may contribute to the frequency of urination. It is often linked with nervousness or a high emotional state, leading to an anxiety-bladder situation.

9. Caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, causing the body to produce more urine. The consumption of these substances in large amounts causes more frequent bathroom visits. Often, reducing the amount of these beverages can relieve symptoms.

10. Enlarged prostate

As men age, they may have enlarged prostate which often compress or squeeze on the bladder and cause increased frequency of urination.

11. Menopause

Estrogen is useful in maintaining bladder size; reduction in estrogen level that occurs in menopause often lead to increase urination.

12. Weak pelvis

The pelvic floor muscles hold up many organs of the urinary system including the bladder. If these muscles get weak, organs can slip out of place and this may lead to frequent urination. This may happen with ageing or traumatic labour in females.

13. Stroke

Damage to bladder nerves may occur during stroke and this can lead to loss of bladder control.

14. Constipation

Retention of hard or impacted stools in the colon may push on the bladder causing frequent urination or incontinence.

Frequent urination can affect your quality of life, disrupting your routine, sleep, and confidence. Identifying the cause is the first step to finding relief. Understanding the underlying problem is crucial for common issues like urinary tract infection and overactive bladders and for advanced conditions like interstitial cystitis.

If you notice an unusual increase in the frequency of your urination, it is advisable to consult with your primary care physician so that relevant investigations and treatment can be undertaken.

Contact Dr Maxwell on 3631807 or 7575411

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