Reasons for frequent urination

Normal urination is different for every person. How much you drink and the type of drinks can play a part as well as your feelings about how often you should be going to the restroom. However there are times when these trips may occur too often. Especially if you make many trips at night it may disrupt your sleep and affect your quality of life. It’s at that time that you should consider asking your doctor about frequent urination and how it concerns your health.

Reasons for frequent urination

According to the Mayo Clinic there are several reasons why an adult may suffer from frequent urination:

• Problems with the bladder. The bladder is responsible for collecting urine and as it fills it sends signals to the brain that lets you know it’s time to urinate. If the bladder has some kind of problem it can cause the bladder to signal a need to urinate too often which can cause frequent urination. Bladder stones interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder are all potential culprits that affect a healthy bladder.
• Increased urine. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and deciding what gets sent out of the body through the urine. They conserve water eliminate waste and keep important electrolytes in the bloodstream. However certain health conditions and even substances can influence the kidneys to produce more urine than what’s considered normal. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are known health conditions that cause the kidneys to overproduce urine. Diabetes insipidus is a completely different condition with a similar name that causes frequent urination and in large quantities.

• Diuretics. Some substances are termed diuretics. Diuretics encourage the kidneys to release fluid from the bloodstream. Caffeine is a common diuretic and excessive caffeine can be one of the reasons for frequent urination. Certain prescription medications like ones that are used to reduce high blood pressure and swelling may also encourage frequent urination.
• Anatomy changes that affect urination. Changes in your body can affect how many times you need to use the bathroom. For example an enlarged prostate can make it difficult to completely empty the bladder making your trips more frequent. A prolapsed bladder can have a similar effect as well as a narrowing of the urethra called a urethral stricture.

When should you consult your doctor?

Any time you’re worried about your health it’s a good idea to bring your concerns to your physician. If your urinary frequency or urgency is causing you distress it’s a good idea to make an appointment to discuss it with him or her. To help your doctor understand the severity of your problem keep a journal of how many times you have urinated for the previous few days especially noting nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Regardless of the cause your physician will be able to provide lifestyle management tips medications and recommendations to improve your quality of life. Don’t let potential embarrassment keep you from living your life to the fullest.

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