Causes of Frequent & Urgent Urination

Frequent and urgent urination are two separate symptoms that, together, are signs of potentially serious medical conditions. Frequent urination is loosely defined as the need to urinate more than usual; the number of times varies from person to person. Urgent urination, on the other hand, is the sudden, often uncomfortable, need to urinate. The most common causes of this are urinary tract infection, diabetes, pregnancy, prostate problems, interstitial cystitis, diuretics and neurological problems.

Urinary Tract Infection

• A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection located anywhere in the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the urethra. They occur when bacteria enter the urethra and bladder. Other symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, burning or painful urination and cloudy or bloody urine. Treatment requires antibiotics, which should be started as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys and blood stream.

Diabetes

• Frequent urination is a common sign of Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to simply as diabetes, is characterized by inadequate insulin in the body, causing a high concentration of glucose. The body often tries to get rid of the excess glucose by increasing urine output. Diabetes insipidus causes more frequent, diluted urination due to various causes, such as hormone deficiency or pituitary dysfunction.

Pregnancy

• Frequent and sometimes urgent urination occurs during pregnancy. As the uterus grows, it gradually pushes on the surrounding organs, including the bladder.

Prostate Problems

• Like pregnancy in women, an enlarged prostate can cause frequent urination in men. As it constricts the urethra, it can block the flow of urine. The bladder will contract at small amounts of urine, so this blockage causes more frequent urination of smaller amounts.

Interstitial Cystitis

• Interstitial cystitis is an inflammation of the interstitial cells of the bladder, which allow it to expand and contract. The cause of this condition is unknown, but it often causes frequent or urgent urination.

Diuretics

• Diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure and fluid build-up by acting on the kidneys, flushing excess fluid from the body. To get rid of the fluid, the body must urinate more frequently.

Neurological Problems

• Damage to the nerves that supply the bladder and urinary tract can cause frequent or urgent urination. Stroke, bulging disks in the spine, injury and even pregnancy can affect the nervous system and manifest as urinary problems.