9 Causes of Frequent Urination and How to Overcome Them
There are various causes of frequent urination, ranging from mild to severe. Treatment also varies and needs to be adjusted to the cause. Therefore, it is important to know the cause of urinating too often so that appropriate treatment can be carried out.
Normally, the frequency of urination is 4-8 times a day. If you drink too much water, drink close to bedtime, or consume food or drinks containing caffeine, the frequency of urination will increase.
However, if you urinate frequently even though you only drink a little or do not consume foods and drinks that can cause frequent urination, this could be a symptom of a medical condition that you need to be aware of.
Various Causes of Frequent Urination
Urinating more than normal for a long time can be a symptom of certain medical conditions. The following are some conditions that cause frequent urination:
1. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common cause of frequent urination. This condition occurs when bacteria attack the urinary tract.
This causes inflammation, disrupting the bladder's ability to hold urine. Typical symptoms that accompany a UTI are fever and pain in the lower abdomen or waist.
2. Overactive bladder
Overactive bladder or overactive bladder occurs when the bladder contracts excessively even though it is not yet full of urine, so you urinate frequently.
Apart from frequent urination, overactive bladder is characterized by the urge to urinate which is difficult to postpone and waking up at night to urinate.
3. Kidney infection
Kidney infections often occur as a result of bladder infections. Symptoms of a kidney infection usually appear two days after the infection occurs. Symptoms experienced by people with kidney infections include frequent urination, fever, back pain, and a burning sensation or pain when urinating.
4. Kidney stones
Frequent urination can be a symptom of kidney stones. Apart from frequent urination, symptoms that appear in people with kidney stones are nausea and vomiting, lower abdominal pain, bloody urination, and urine turning cloudy in color.
5. Pregnancy
During the first trimester, pregnant women will urinate more frequently. This happens because the developing uterus can put pressure on the bladder. To overcome this, it is recommended that you do Kegel exercises regularly.
6. Diabetes
Frequent urination is an early symptom of diabetes. This happens because the body tries to excrete unused glucose in the blood through urine.
7. Prostate disorders
An enlarged prostate (BPH) can put pressure on the urethra or urinary tract, causing the bladder wall to be more sensitive. This condition makes the bladder contract easily even when there is little urine, causing you to urinate frequently.
8. Effects of diuretic drugs
The use of diuretic drugs aims to get rid of excess fluid in the body. This type of drug is usually used to treat hypertension or fluid buildup in the body. The fluid that accumulates in the body will then be excreted by the kidneys through urine.
Therefore, taking this type of medication can increase the frequency of urination.
9. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an infection that occurs in the diverticula, which are sacs that form along the tract in the wall of the large intestine. Diverticulitis is characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen, frequent urination, diarrhea, and bleeding from the anus.
Apart from the diseases above, frequent urination can also be caused by nervous disorders, stroke and anxiety disorders.
How to Deal with Frequent Urination at Home
Treatment for frequent urination is carried out according to the underlying cause. Therefore, to determine the cause of your frequent urination, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The doctor will ask about your medical history and carry out a series of physical examinations and supporting examinations. If the doctor has confirmed the cause of your frequent urination, the doctor will plan appropriate treatment.
If frequent urination is due to diabetes, the treatment is to control blood sugar levels in the body. Meanwhile, treating frequent urination due to an overactive bladder can be helped with the following tips:
Train the bladder
You can train your bladder to control when you urinate. Try to increase the urination interval. You can do this exercise for approximately 12 weeks.
This is done to train the bladder to be able to hold urine longer, so that the frequency of urination can return to normal.
Do Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises can strengthen the muscles around the bladder and urethra, thereby reducing the urge to urinate. Controlling the bladder can be done with exercises that focus on the pelvic muscles. You can do Kegel exercises for 5 minutes 3 times a day.
Regulate eating patterns
To reduce the urge to urinate, you are advised to avoid foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder or are diuretics. Foods or drinks containing caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods can increase the urge to urinate.
Therefore, you should reduce your consumption of these foods or drinks. Instead, fill your fiber intake and drink water but avoid drinking too much before bedtime at night.
The causes of frequent urination can vary and the treatment is not the same. Therefore, consult a doctor when you experience symptoms of frequent urination, so that the cause can be ascertained and appropriate treatment given.
Last updated: May 14, 2024
Reviewed by: dr. Gracia Fensynthia