Patient's question:
When there is a need to urinate, one wants to relieve it immediately. Unable to hold it in, the frequency of urination is: 8-10 times during the day, 1-2 times at night. The frequency increases after drinking water or alcohol, and also more often in cold weather. Although the frequency is high, the total volume is not much (200-250ml each time). This situation has been the same since childhood, causing inconvenience in work and daily life, especially when traveling by car. How can the frequency of urination be reduced? Are there any good methods to control (hold back) urination? I hope experts can provide advice!Medical history: No history of any diseases.
First follow-up question: It has been checked and there are no symptoms. It may be due to a small bladder capacity or psychogenic urinary frequency. For this condition, what methods are available?
Doctor's answer:
Frequency urination refers to an increase in the number of urination. The average number of urinations for a normal adult during the day is 4 to 6 times, and 0 to 2 times at night; infants urinate 20 to 30 times during the day and night. If the number of urinations increases significantly and exceeds the above range, it is considered frequency urination. There are many factors or causes that can lead to frequency urination, which can be summarized into the following categories:(1) Increased urine volume: When the urine volume increases, the frequency of urination also increases accordingly. Under physiological conditions, such as drinking a large amount of water, eating watermelon, or drinking beer, due to increased fluid intake, the kidneys regulate and filter, leading to an increase in urine volume and frequency, resulting in frequency urination. Under pathological conditions, such as some diabetic patients or patients with diabetes insipidus who drink a lot of water and produce a lot of urine, the frequency of urination also increases. However, there is no discomfort during urination.
(2) Inflammatory stimulation: When there is inflammation in the bladder, the nerve sensory threshold decreases, and the micturition center is in an excited state, leading to frequency urination and a reduced urine volume (less than 300 to 500 milliliters per time for adults). Therefore, frequency urination is an important symptom of cystitis, especially acute cystitis and tuberculous cystitis. Other conditions, such as prostatitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, chronic balanoposthitis in children, and vulvitis, can also cause frequency urination. Under inflammatory stimulation, frequency urination, urgency urination, and dysuria often occur simultaneously, known as urinary tract irritation syndrome, commonly referred to as the "three urinary symptoms."
(3) Non-inflammatory stimulation: Such as urinary tract stones or foreign bodies, usually manifesting primarily as frequency urination.
(4) Reduced bladder capacity: Such as bladder occupying lesions, pressure from an enlarged uterus during pregnancy, tuberculous bladder contraction, or large bladder stones.
(5) Psychoneurotic frequency urination: Frequency urination occurs only during the day or before bedtime, often due to mental tension or seen in patients with hysteria.