The urge to urinate frequently can have a number of causes. See the most common ones and find out when to seek medical attention.
Have you ever counted how many times a day you pee? While some people spend hours away from the bathroom, others can’t watch an entire movie without having to pause it to empty their bladder . An adult usually urinates 4 to 6 times in a 24-hour period, and it’s considered normal to wake up at most once during sleep to go to the bathroom. If your urination frequency is much higher than this, it may be time to investigate what might be going on.
Overactive bladder is usually one of the main causes behind the problem, but the urologist must first rule out other factors that may be related to the excessive urge to urinate, such as: inflammation and urinary infections , stones in the urinary tract, benign prostate growth (men) and neurological diseases ( Alzheimer’s , Parkinson’s ). Childbirth, pregnancy, diabetes and weak pelvic floor muscles may also be related.
“Overactive bladder is a bladder dysfunction that is much more common than one might imagine, present in up to 25% of the male and female population over the age of 40, according to a Brazilian epidemiological survey,” says Dr. Ricardo Luís Vita Nunes, urologist and director of the Brazilian Society of Urology in São Paulo (SBU-SP).
Overactive bladder causes increased urinary frequency and urgency to urinate, with or without associated urine loss. The condition can lead to urinary incontinence , when involuntary urine loss occurs, even in small amounts. According to Nunes, it is very common – especially in women – for the two conditions to be associated. Aging increases the prevalence of both overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, but it is worth remembering that young people are not immune.
It is important to note that most patients do not report this complaint to their doctor or seek treatment, which may include physical therapy and medication.
The use of specific products for urine loss, such as disposable pads, panties and underwear, are very discreet and efficient and can alleviate discomfort, so they can also be a resource to help deal with the condition.
But remember that you need to investigate, because it is not normal to want to go to the bathroom all the time.
Fluid intake and overhydration
It is very common to hear that we should drink at least 2 liters of water per day. However, this amount is only an average and not a value that should be set for everyone, as each person has specific needs and expenditures, depending on their losses through perspiration and exhalation, physical activity and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
“When we establish a quantity, it must be clear that this volume must be well divided throughout the day, so that we do not cause periods of hyperhydration and others of dehydration, which would lead to a great imbalance in urine production,” explains the doctor. “On the other hand, it is clear that people who hyperhydrate throughout the day will produce a greater volume and their urinary frequency will naturally increase, but this does not result in having an urgency to urinate or, even less, urinary incontinence.”
However, people who consume a lot of caffeine, black tea, carbonated drinks and other beverages that are irritating to the bladder may experience increased urgency and, eventually, urinary loss. Water, however, is always welcome, whether pure or through fruit, natural juices or coconut water, for example. “The secret is to know how to manage your consumption throughout the day, routinely,” concludes Dr. Nunes.
Therefore, don’t forget to drink water. Drinking water is very important to keep your urinary system functioning properly and to avoid problems such as urinary tract infections and kidney stones .