The need to urinate more often than usual is called urinary frequency. Sometimes the condition is worse at night, causing interrupted sleep. For many people this is only a temporary condition caused by an acute infection. For others, frequent urination is a chronic problem, or might be a symptom of a more concerning, underlying medical condition.
Bladder Infection
Bladder infections are a common ailment, especially among women ages 20 to 50, reports Merck Manuals Medical Library. They happen when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the urinary bladder. A frequent, and urgent need to urinate are common manifestations of the infection. Pain above the pubic bone, and a burning sensation when urinating are additional symptoms, as is increased urination during the night. The most common cause of bladder infections is the bacteria, E.coli.
Uterine Fibroid Tumors
Fibroid tumors are common noncancerous tumors of the pelvis. An article in the January 7, 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," reports that fibroids occur in approximately 66 percent of women by the time they reach 50 years of age. Even so, many women with fibroids have no symptoms, and are unaware of their presence. Larger fibroid tumors cause the uterus to press up against the bladder, resulting in more frequent urination.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition of an elevated level of sugar in the blood. The cause of diabetes is a lack of insulin production by the pancreas, or insulin resistance by the body's cells. Increased blood sugar causes more fluid than normal to be pulled from the tissues of the body, and carried to the kidneys for elimination. The resulting increase in thirst, and urination are some of the hallmarks of diabetes.
Prostate Disease
The prostate is a male reproductive gland located just under the bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Commonly, the prostate becomes larger as a man ages. Certain diseases of the prostate also can cause an increase in its size. Enlargement of the prostate squeezes the urethra, causing it to narrow. The bladder reacts to this by thickening and becoming irritable, resulting in an increased urge to urinate, explains the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing house.
