Frequent urination is a common complaint in both men and women. Some individuals are constantly searching for the nearest bathroom, feeling like their bladder is ruling their lives. However, there are several steps you can take to control your urine once again.
How to reduce frequent urination
To minimize the symptoms of frequent urination, there are some lifestyle changes you could make to improve your bladder health. First, if you smoke, quit.
Avoid or limit foods or drinks that are irritating to the bladder. If you are unable to give them up completely, the following items should be used in moderation:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- spicy foods
- chocolate
- citrus
- carbonated drinks
Drinking water and the need to stay hydrated
Many who experience frequent urination will often drink less water to reduce urinary leakage and trips to the bathroom. This can actually negatively affect you!
Dehydration results in concentrated urine, which can be irritating to the bladder and could increase the risk for urinary tract infections. To help dilute urine, it is important to stay hydrated throughout the day. If you are getting up multiple times overnight to use the bathroom, try to avoid drinking large amounts of fluids right before bedtime and focus your hydration during the day.
Causes of frequent urination
Frequent urination or the strong urge to urinate could also be seen in a number of conditions, such as:
- urinary tract infection
- bladder cancer
- kidney stones
- diabetes
- pregnancy
- urethral stricture
- prostate cancer
- interstitial cystitis
- overactive bladder
- neurologic illness
- radiation cystitis
Older men and enlarged prostate
Older men often complain of frequently running to the bathroom to urinate. This is often caused by an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
As men age, the prostate grows. Fifty percent of men who are age 50 or older may have symptoms of an enlarged prostate. This increases 10 percent for each additional decade of life. Symptoms that men may experience include:
- an urgent or frequent need to urinate
- a slow or weak urinary stream
- trouble completely emptying the bladder
- difficulty or delay in starting urination
- a urinary stream that starts and stops
Treating frequent urination
There is no need to suffer the effects of frequent urination. If you experience symptoms, please call your healthcare provider or our team at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute so you can be evaluated. With new and evolving treatments and minimally invasive procedures, our team will work with you to identify the best treatment options to help you get back to your life.
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