Having to go to the bathroom regularly to urinate can be because of excessive fluid intake throughout the day. However, when, in addition to increased urinary frequency, other signals such as pain and burning when urinating or difficulty holding urination are present, this may imply some type of health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to visit a urologist for a correct diagnosis and the best course of treatment.
Below we mention the most common reasons that can increase the urge to urinate:
1. Drinking a lot of water, coffee or alcoholic beverages
When a person consumes a lot of water, it’s normal for all of that liquid to be removed through urine. If this is the case, the urine is clear in color and almost odorless. Under these conditions, it’s normal for the body to remove the excess.
This usually occurs at certain times of the day after comsuming a lot of fluids, eating foods high in water or with a high salt intake, or eating foods rich in sodium such as sausages or chips.
Drinking a lot of coffee or other caffeine-containing beverages, such as black tea, hot chocolate, and mate, also boosts urinary frequency, since, in addition to the liquid, caffeine is a natural diuretic.
However, they are not a good option for fighting thirst, as they do not hydrate the body, but instead dehydrate it.
What to do: One way to ease urinary frequency is to participate in physical activity, as exercise helps remove excess fluid buildup in the body.
2. Taking diuretics
Taking some medications to treat heart conditions, such as “Furosemide” or “Hydrochlorothiazide,” for example, can enhance the production of urine by the kidneys.
What to do: It’s crucial to control increased urinary frequency because of medication use by a doctor, as this will offer control and the ability to replace the medication or change the dosage.
3. Diabetes
The need to urinate frequently can also happen because of excess blood sugar, caused by poorly controlled diabetes. This is because a large amount of glucose in the bl00d causes the body to need to remove this excess through urine.
Diabetes is diagnosed through a urine test, but also through a bl00d test, which assesses the amount of circulating glucose.
What to do: If you find that the increased urge to urinate is because of diabetes, it is crucial to go on the treatment prescribed by your doctor. This may include medications to help control blood glucose levels, insulin injections, and/or profound changes in diet and lifestyle.
4. Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence happens when a person is unable to hold urine because they cannot close their sphincters before reaching the bathroom, wetting their clothes. Although it can happen in men, incontinence is more popular in women, especially during pregnancy or after menopause.
What to do: Treatment for urinary incontinence can be done through Kegel exercises, which aim to boost the pelvic floor muscles; however, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.
5. A urinary tract infection
One of the most popular causes of increased urinary frequency is a urinary tract infection. To check if an infection is present, you should examine other symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating.
Another characteristic symptom is when the person runs to the bathroom because they need to pee and when they get there, they spot that there is not as much urine as they expected.
What to do : It’s suggested to meet a urologist or general practitioner so they can perform tests to check a urinary tract infection and then prescribe the best treatment, which typically includes antibiotics.
6. Prostatic hyperplasia
Prostate inflammation also causes increased urinary frequency and is popular in men over 45. One of the signs to suspect this is having to wake up to urinate at least twice during the night, especially if this wasn’t a habit.
What to do: The man should visit a urologist to diagnose the condition and initiate the most appropriate treatment. Medications that help ease symptoms and reduce prostate size may be prescribed; antibiotics or surgery may be expected in more severe cases.
When to go to the doctor
It is vital to meet a doctor when the urge to urinate frequently is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Difficulty urinating.
- Pain or burning when urinating.
- Bad smell of urine
- Reddish or dark coloration of urine.
- Presence of foam in the urine.
- Fever.
- Lower back pain.
Therefore, if you noticed and have assessed that you may have a health problem, you should consult a general practitioner for a general urine and blood test. This will help find the reason of the symptom and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
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