Frequent urination – what causes it?

How many times a day do you urinate?

The frequency of urination depends on the capacity of the bladder, the amount of fluids consumed, as well as any diseases and illnesses.

The capacity of an adult's urinary bladder is normally between 350 and 400 milliliters. It is considered normal to urinate 1.5 liters per day, taking in about 2.5 liters of water from fluids, food, and oxidizing water. Of course, the values ​​given are averages. The frequency of urination depends on individual physiological conditions, the volume of fluids taken, and the ambient temperature. It is generally accepted that an indication for a visit to a doctor is the need to urinate more than 8 times in one day.

What is frequent urination?

Frequent urination is a disorder characterized by excessive urination (more than 8 times a day). It is often accompanied by:

• dysuria – difficulty in urinating,
• stranguria – a burning sensation in the urethra,
• pollakiuria – frequent or constant urge to urinate.

We also distinguish:

• oliguria – also known as oliguria, i.e. the release of too small amounts of urine during the day (less than 500 millilitres / < 70 millilitres for every 10 kilograms of body weight); anuria, on the other hand , is a condition in which less than 100 millilitres of urine is released during the day;
• polyuria – i.e. polyuria; excretion of large amounts of urine (over 2.5 liters per day).

Frequent urination at night

Nocturia , or increased urination (more than once) during the night, like the previously mentioned disorders, are not diseases, but symptoms . Nocturia accompanies many diseases of the urinary system, metabolic disorders or is simply a consequence of drinking more fluids before going to bed.

Also read our other article: peeing in the shower – don’t ignore ecology !

Causes of frequent urination

Frequent urination is not always caused by urinary tract disorders – below are the most common causes of frequent urination.

Drinking plenty of fluids

Increased fluid intake naturally results in the need for more frequent visits to the toilet. The demand itself is an individual matter, as is the efficiency of the kidneys. They can filter up to 150 liters of fluids per day! Taking in too much (i.e. as much as the kidneys do not have time to cleanse) can disrupt the functioning of the body and cause excessive water to accumulate in the bloodstream. Remember: the golden mean! It turns out that you can overdo everything.

Reduced bladder capacity

Urinary tract infections, various types of injuries, spinal cord disease – the list of potential causes of bladder dysfunction is long. A small bladder capacity can lead to more frequent visits to the toilet and more frequent urination in small amounts.

Taking certain medications

Frequent urination can be a result of taking medications for certain diseases. These include medications designed for people struggling with circulatory system diseases, among others. They can affect both the frequency of urination and its amount.

Overactive bladder syndrome

Overactive bladder (colloquially) is a set of symptoms that may result from:

• improper functioning of the nerves responsible for the functioning of the urinary system,
• disorders of the contractile function of the bladder detrusor muscle and its hypersensitivity to stimuli,
• problems of psychosomatic origin (e.g. depression, anxiety neurosis),
• recurrent urinary tract infections.

Symptoms of the disease include:

• frequent urination,
• nocturia,
• urinary bladder pressure,
• urinary incontinence.

The cause of the symptoms of overactive bladder is neurological disorders. The condition may also be related to the presence of other chronic diseases (such as diabetes or Parkinson's disease). Symptoms may increase with age. In people with a prostate, overactive bladder syndrome is often associated with simultaneous prostatic hyperplasia.

Urolithiasis

This disease is the deposition of stones, formed from minerals filtered by the kidneys. Deposits formed in the urinary tract, in addition to urgency and frequent urination, cause the so-called renal colic - severe pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the pubic symphysis and the inner surface of the thigh.

Urinary tract diseases

• Urinary tract infection (for example, cystitis) – more common in people with uteri due to the short distance from the vaginal opening to the urethra – microorganisms have a greater chance of penetrating the urinary tract. Treatment involves taking antibacterial drugs – do not stop taking the drug after the symptoms have subsided, but follow the doctor's recommendations. Incorrect drug therapy can lead to drug resistance and recurrent infections.
• Congenital kidney defects (and other system elements) – one of the possible causes of their development is genetic factors. In the case of the kidneys, they may concern their number, position or shape. Congenital defects of the ureters or urethra also occur. The main symptom of this type of problem is frequent infections of the system, resulting from kidney failure and difficult urine excretion. Hence, frequent urination in small amounts, accompanied by pain, hematuria or fever. Chronic problems caused by these defects can significantly worsen the quality of life and require surgical correction to restore the patency of the urinary tract, and sometimes removal of the kidney.
• Bladder cancer – diagnosis in most cases concerns men (in women the number of cases is 3 times lower). The first most common symptom is hematuria, often painless, and LUTS ( lower urinary tract symptoms ; i.e. a whole set of symptoms from the lower urinary tract). In the case of other dysuric symptoms (frequent urination, problems with micturition), rapid diagnosis and exclusion of other potential causes of the problem are necessary. This type of cancer very often develops insidiously and for a long time is asymptomatic. Treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.

Prostate gland diseases

In men, frequent urination may be caused by:

• Prostate hyperplasia - even benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause compression of the urethra and hypertrophy of the bladder detrusor. This increases the frequency of urination. Patients often have problems with initiating micturition and urine retention. Benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs in almost all aging people with a prostate (in about 50% by the age of 60 and in about 90% by the age of 85).

PSA and fPSA (prostate specific antigen) tests are not necessary to diagnose benign prostatic hyperplasia, but they should be tested in every person with a prostate (once between the ages of 40 and 50, and once a year after the age of 50). Such a test can be ordered by a family doctor.

• Prostate cancer – the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in people with prostate in Poland. Frequent urination all day long (intensified at night) is one of the first symptoms of the disease. Frequent urination in this case significantly disrupts normal functioning, preventing, for example, a peaceful, several-hour sleep, which in turn negatively affects well-being and mental health. Prostate cancer develops very slowly, so the appearance of its symptoms may indicate a later stage of the tumor, which absolutely requires the initiation of specialist treatment. Prostate cancer occurs mostly in people over 50 years of age.

You can learn more about the prostate from our article: Prostate – a heart between your legs ?

Diabetes

People with diabetes often struggle with urinary tract and genital infections.

Diabetes often causes people to feel like they have a “full bladder.” Why? High blood sugar levels cause increased urine production, which the kidneys try to dilute with as much water as possible.

Central diabetes insipidus

It is an endocrine disorder caused by disorders (or deficiency) of vasopressin secretion – a hormone regulating blood pressure and urine density. A person suffering from diabetes feels constant thirst, and consuming an increased amount of fluids causes frequent urination.

There is also another type of diabetes – nephritis. It results from a disturbed response of the renal tubules to vasopressin. This may be caused by a genetic defect or past diseases (for example, pyelonephritis).

Frequent urination during pregnancy

Frequent urination is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. It can appear after the first few weeks and even accompany you until delivery .

The cause of frequent urination during pregnancy is the growth of the uterus , which over time puts pressure on the walls of the bladder.

Frequent urination in children

The capacity of the urinary bladder increases with the development of the body. Children urinate much more often than adults – so this should not be a cause for concern, as long as frequent urination is not accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

• pain and burning when urinating,
• brown urine color (may indicate the presence of blood!),
• small amount of urine excreted,
• fever and chills.

The above symptoms may suggest a urinary tract infection. You should see a doctor immediately and have a full set of tests performed to unmask the bacteria responsible.

Frequent urination – treatment

How to reduce the frequency of urination?

Treatment of frequent urination depends of course on the cause of this ailment . An accurate diagnosis can be made based on numerous and detailed tests of urine and the entire body.

People who suffer from micturition disorders (too frequent urination, urinary incontinence) are often suggested to undergo a urodynamic test . This term covers the control of many functions of the urinary system organs. The test involves inserting a catheter through the urethra into the bladder and a manometric balloon through the anus – the patient must then urinate into a special device that measures its volume and the speed of excretion. The function of the sphincters is checked by additionally inserting needle electrodes.

It is crucial to keep your body hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Cranberries are also recommended (both as fruit and in preparations containing them). Due to the content of numerous vitamins and minerals, using them as a daily supplement can have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire body. Remember, however, that cranberry extracts or juices are not medicinal preparations, but only a healthy addition to the daily diet and pharmacotherapy.

Intimate hygiene is also extremely important – how could we not mention it! :) The causes of infections of the genitals and urinary tract may lie in improper care for their cleanliness. This applies to every person, regardless of gender.