Spokesperson: Dr. Priyank Salecha, Urologist,at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Hyderabad

Certain health conditions do not catch our eye at an early stage simply because the symptoms do not feel unusual or alarming till they progress to a worrisome level. It is quite normal to have fluctuations in the number of times a normal person passes urine depending on the liquid intake. Hence, it is very possible that a patient may not realize problems or underlying diseases related to this.

The majority of the people generally urinate between four to eight times a day. The urge to urinate more than eight times a day in lesser time intervals or waking up in the night to go to the bathroom more than once is often termed as frequent urination. An average human bladder can usually hold as much as 600 ml of urine, the urge to urinate arises when the bladder is filled up with about a little over 150 ml of urine.

Urination is the method through which the human body discharges waste fluids. Urine is a waste fluid that contains water, uric acid, urea, toxins, and waste filtered from within the body with help of the kidney. Urinary frequency is not the same among all age groups. As the age progresses there will be little control over the bladder. Urination is a complex bodily process that involves various body systems.

A range of reasons can make the urinary system more active and increase urination. Frequent urination is usually caused by underlying conditions that affect parts of the urinary tract, which comprises the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Other most common conditions such as diabetes, prostate-related problems, and pregnancy are also known to be causes of frequent urination.

Prevention and Treatment:

The urodynamic test is a procedure that is performed to assess the effectiveness of the urinary bladder in storing and releasing urine, and also examine the function of the urethra. It is excessively performed to diagnose any infection in the lower urinary tract. The urodynamic test is considered the first step in diagnosing the underlying condition that is causing frequent urination. 

Urodynamics testing checks for the bladder, sphincters, and urethra health. It also measures the storage ability and release of urine. Based on the primary diagnosis, the doctor will assess the condition, symptoms and recommend a suitable urodynamic test. 

Post undergoing urodynamic tests, it is normal to experience mild discomfort for a few hours during urination. Drinking water every few hours can help relieve the discomfort. Taking a warm bath after the test also helps in reducing the discomfort.

Urodynamic testing involves a small risk of developing a urinary tract infection or experiencing urinary frequency and/or urgency. You may also notice a small amount of blood in the urine. If any of these symptoms persist for over 24 hours after the testing, it needs immediate medical attention.

With the above-mentioned preventive steps, one can easily treat the frequent urination problem. It is always advised to consult a doctor when early symptoms start appearing, as it can lead to serious future complications in case of delay.