Patient's question:
When there is a need to urinate, one wants to go, unable to hold it in. Urination frequency: 8-10 times during the day, 1-2 times at night. It increases after drinking water or alcohol, and also more 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 I reduce urination frequency? Are there any good methods to control (hold back) urination? I hope experts can advise! Medical history: No medical history. First follow-up question: I have been checked and there are no symptoms. It could be small bladder capacity or psychogenic urinary frequency. What methods are available for this condition?Doctor's answer:
Frequency of urination refers to an increase in the number of urination episodes. The average number of daytime urinations for a normal adult is 4 to 6 times per day, and 0 to 2 times during the night; infants urinate 20 to 30 times per day. If the number of urination episodes increases significantly and exceeds the above range, it is considered frequency of urination. There are many factors or causes that can lead to frequency of urination, which can be summarized into the following categories:(1) Increased urine volume: When urine volume increases, the number of urination episodes also increases accordingly. Under physiological conditions, such as drinking a large amount of water, eating watermelon, or drinking beer, the increased fluid intake leads to more urine production through the regulation and filtration functions of the kidneys, resulting in more frequent urination. In pathological conditions, such as some diabetic patients or patients with diabetes insipidus who drink a lot of water, the urine volume increases, and the number of urination episodes also increases, but 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 becomes excited, leading to frequency of urination and a reduced urine volume (less than 300 to 500 milliliters per episode in adults). Therefore, frequency of urination is an important symptom of cystitis, especially in acute cystitis and tuberculous cystitis. Other conditions, such as prostatitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, chronic balanoposthitis in children, and vulvitis, can also cause frequency of urination. Under inflammatory stimulation, frequency of urination, urgency of urination, and dysuria often occur simultaneously, collectively known as urinary tract irritation syndrome, commonly referred to as "the three urinary symptoms."
(3) Non-inflammatory stimulation: Conditions such as urinary tract stones or foreign bodies typically present with frequency of urination as the primary symptom.
(4) Reduced bladder capacity: Conditions such as bladder occupying lesions, pressure from an enlarged uterus during pregnancy, tuberculous bladder contraction, or large bladder stones.
(5) Psychoneurotic frequency of urination: Frequency of urination is limited to daytime or before bedtime, often due to mental tension or seen in patients with hysteria.