Urinary Frequency

Urinary Frequency General Information

Urinary Frequency is an affection more common in women of all ages, and it becomes increasingly present with age, becoming relatively common in elderly patients regardless of sex. It is defined by the increased need to urinate, regardless of the urine volume produced. Some cases may also imply an increased urine quantity, and this type of the affection is referred to as polyuria. In cases where the general urine volume remains stable, the affection can be either an instability of the detrusor mechanisms or the inability of the bladder to stretch to accommodate the urine quantity.

Urinary Frequency is often manifested by a sudden and compulsory need to urinate, accompanied by a sensation of discomfort in the bladder. If the affection is also manifested during the night hours, it is known as nocturnia; in these cases the patient will wake up to urinate at least once, although normally a sleeping person can go for 6-8 hours without urinating. This form is also most common in elderly patients; however cases of nocturnia have also been reported in middle aged patients as well. This affection can caused by a very large number of conditions, most commonly by infections in the urinary tract or an overactive bladder, but may extend to diabetes, cancer, medication and therapy, alcohol, coffee or an enlarged prostate. A very large number of medical conditions and medications can also cause an increased as a side effect.

Urinary Frequency Symptoms

In all cases of Urinary Frequency, the patient will feel the need to urinate more often than a regular person. While a healthy person urinates 2 to 3 times per day, patients with this affection may feel the need to urinate up to 8 or 9 times daily. This may be manifested as a sudden and compulsory need, and the process needs to be carried out immediately. Also in some cases pain and discomfort in the bladder accompany the need to urinate.

In cases of polyuria, the urine volume produced is much larger than normal, and this condition may also accompany polydipsia – more commonly known as a great increase in thirst. The patient will consume large quantities of liquids which in turn will lead to a larger volume of urine, however polydipsia may also be an effect of the Urinary Frequency, occurring as an attempt of the human body to prevent dehydration. 

Urinary Frequency may accompany many medical conditions and may be accompanied by a very large number of other symptoms. It is recommended that if you are not sure about the cause of frequent urination and if you have not been warned that it may appear as a side effect or symptom to any of your current affections and treatments, you should contact your personal health care specialist in order to further check the causes of this condition as there may be an underlining affection to it.

Urinary Frequency Treatment

In the case of Urinary Frequency it is most important to analyze and discover the causes that are causing this effect. Further testing may be in order, and this may include urine sample testing, cystometry, cystoscopy, ultrasound testing. Apart from that, your personal health care specialist may require a full physical examination, to discover any affections that do not have a direct effect on the bladder. Infections of the urinary tract may also cause this, as they put extra pressure on the bladder thus decreasing the urine quantity that it can store over time.

Once the full diagnose is set, the examining physician will prescribe a treatment appropriate for your age, sex, medical history and general health condition. In order to cure the Urinary Frequency, it is needed to treat and cure its causes. Treatment for the underlining causes may imply a very large range of medications and procedures. In order to find out exactly what is causing the Urinary Frequency in your case and how to treat it, it is advised that you consult with your personal health care specialist. Some situations may not require any kind of treatment, as this condition can also be caused by minor facts such as consuming an increased quantity of liquids, alcohol or coffee and in such cases it will pass over the course of a few days. However, other underlining causes may require complex treatment, and may take very long periods of time until they, and this condition along with them, are cured.

In cases where the urination is accompanied by pain, the doctors may prescribe certain types of medication in order to relieve the discomfort. In the case of infections, antibiotics may also be prescribed in order to treat or prevent any infection of the urinary tract as well. Also, the examining health care specialist may prescribe antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) drugs. These affect the nerve and muscle function of the bladder muscle by relaxing the detrusor muscle, reducing the frequency and intensity of bladder contractions and preventing the urinary incontinence. It is also possible that they will increase bladder capacity.

In cases of nighttime Urinary Frequency, it is advised that you avoid consuming large quantities of liquids and completely avoid alcohol, coffee or caffeinated beverages for a period of time before going to bed, as they stimulate the general urine production and may increase the urine volume that is accumulated during the sleeping hours. Most commonly, your personal health care specialist will also recommend a number of self-care practices or changes in the lifestyle. Losing weight, quitting smoking and limiting the general quantity of liquids that you consume every day are just a few of them. The doctor may give you a list of foods and ingredients that are or contain bladder irritants and which you should avoid. You may also be required to incorporate a number of exercises such as bladder retraining and pelvic floor muscle exercises in your daily routine in order to prevent urinary incontinence. These have been proven to be very effective and they should be used regularly in combination with therapy for the medical conditions that are causing the affection.