Topic Overview
It is quite common to pass urine about 7-8 times a day. In fact, this is the norm. However, some people constantly have the urge to pass urine and end up peeing more than 10-12 times a day. This in medical terms is called frequent urination. It is something that can impact the social life of a person significantly. Imagine someone is in an important meeting and he goes to the washroom every 15 minutes or so. It is not only embarrassing for the individual but also for others[1, 2].
In fact, frequent urination can also disrupt the normal sleep cycle of a person as he needs to get up frequently to pee. Frequent urination can be due to a number of causes. There can be two perspectives to this condition. Either there is a substantial increase in the production of urine caused by certain conditions like polyuria or there is some problem with storage of urine or emptying of bladder[1, 2].
In some instances, a frequent urge to urinate can also be caused due to some serious underlying condition. Thus it is vital to get to the bottom of the cause and start treatment for it[1, 2]. Read below to find out about the causes and ways to manage the frequent urge to urinate.
Why Do I Always Want To Urinate?
Some of the possible causes for frequent urge to urinate include:
Urinary Tract Infection: When the lining of the urethra and bladder become inflamed as a result of bacteria, blood, or white blood cells then it is termed as urinary tract infection. Due to this, the person will have frequent urge to urinate even though very little comes out in the form of urine[2].
Diabetes: Frequent urination is the first and most common symptom of diabetes, both type 1 and 2. This is because the body starts to dispense the extra unused glucose in the body. The nerves that control the bladder also at times get damaged due to diabetes causing this frequent urge to urinate[2].
Diuretics: People who are on diuretics commonly complain of a frequent urge to urinate. Diuretics are basically used to treat hypertension or excess fluids in the kidneys. These medications flush out any excess fluid in the body by way of urine causing this frequent urge[2].
Prostate Disorders: People with prostate conditions like BPH where the prostate becomes enlarged also complain of frequent urge to urinate. This is because the enlarged prostate presses against the urethra and blocks the flow of urine. This irritates the bladder and making it to contract even where there is little to no urine present causing frequent urge to urinate[2].
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes are quite common during pregnancy. As the uterus grows while the pregnancy is progressing it starts putting pressure on the bladder. This excess pressure causes the frequent urge to urinate in pregnant females. Additionally, during a vaginal delivery, there may be some damage incurred to the urethra which may also cause frequent urination[2].
Stress Incontinence: This is a condition in which there is involuntary leakage of urine, especially during physical activity. This is seen mostly in females. Other activities like laughing, sneezing, or even coughing can also cause leakage of urine in people with stress incontinence. This is also one of the causes for a frequent urge to urinate[2].
Stroke: Some people with stroke tend to damage some nerves including those that supply nutrients to the bladder. This interferes with the functioning of the bladder causing a frequent urge to urinate[2].
Bladder Cancer: If a person has a malignant tumor in the bladder it starts taking up space and causes symptoms like a frequent urge to urinate[2].
Multiple Sclerosis: Approximately 80% of people with this neurological disorder complain of a frequent urge to urinate. This is because the MS lesions block the transmission of signals from the brain to the nerves that control the bladder[2].
Overactive Bladder: Some people have an overactive bladder which causes frequent contractions and an urge to urinate quite frequently even if the bladder may not be full[2].
Other Causes: Aside from the above mentioned, there are also some other causes like binging on alcohol and caffeine which act as a diuretic and cause frequent urge to urinate. Additionally, artificial sweeteners, carbonated drinks, and some foods also have a tendency to cause frequent urination. People with conditions like anxiety disorder, kidney stones, urethra stricture, sexually transmitted diseases, or diverticulitis also complain of a frequent urge to urinate[2].
How is Frequent Urge To Urinate Treated?
The treatment for frequent urge to urinate depends on the underlying cause of it. If diabetes is believed to be the cause then strict control of blood sugars with diet and medications is the key to deal with frequent urination. For infections as a cause for frequent urination, antibiotics are the best way to deal with it. For people with overactive bladder, anticholinergics are prescribed to control the symptoms including the frequent urge to urinate[2].
Apart from this, there are also certain bladder control exercises that can be employed to controlfrequent urination. This includes:
Kegel Exercises: This exercise is aimed at strengthening the pelvic muscles and the muscles of the urethra. This in turn controls the frequent urge to urinate. This exercise should be done around 20 times in each set for two to three times per day for at least a couple of months to get the best results[2].
Biofeedback: When done along with Kegel, this therapy allows the person to be more aware of the functioning of their body. When Used alongside Kegel exercises, biofeedback therapy enables the patient to become more aware of how their body functions and allows to control the bladder in a much better way[2].
Bladder Training: This mode of treatment enables the patient to hold the urine for a much longer time. The duration of the training is for about a couple of months[2].
