Increased urination can be a nuisance. According to Merck Manuals, most adults urinate four to six times per day, commonly during the daytime hours. Increased urination can result from an increased amount of urine produced by the body, bladder irritation or incomplete emptying of the bladder. Drinking excess fluids, drinking beverages containing alcohol or caffeine and taking diuretic medications are common causes. Increased urination may also be the sign of a serious disorder and should be evaluated by a physician.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder involving inadequate production or use of insulin that prevents glucose from being used as energy by the body. This results in increased glucose in the blood and urine. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both cause increased urination and increased thirst as symptoms when they are not under control, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Other symptoms include increased hunger, blurred vision, fatigue and weight loss. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop rapidly, and can quickly progress to a life-threatening diabetic coma if not treated.
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus, or DI, causes the body to produce a large amount of urine. Excess urine is produced because this disorder reduces the kidneys' ability to conserve fluids when filtering the blood, according to MedlinePlus. DI can be inherited or cause by conditions such as head injury, tumor, a kidney malfunction, certain medications such as lithium, and high levels of calcium in the blood. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Enlarged Prostate
In men, an enlarged prostate gland can result in a need to urinate more often at night, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder. When it becomes enlarged, it constricts the urethra, causing symptoms that include the inability to urinate, incomplete bladder emptying, straining to urinate, a weak urinary stream, a strong urge to urinate and the need to urinate at least twice during the night. An enlarged prostate can be caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy,or BPH, and cancer of the prostate. Symptoms should be evaluated by a physician.
Bladder Infection
A bladder infection, or cystitis, is the most common cause of frequent urination, explains Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Symptoms include a strong, frequent urge to urinate, pain and burning during urination and foul-smelling urine. The urine may look cloudy and contain blood. Cystitis can be caused by bacteria entering from the outside and traveling upward to the bladder, blockage of the flow of urine by a stone, stricture or an enlarged prostate gland in men, or a urinary catheter. Cystitis requires treatment with antibiotics to avoid complications.
References
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders: Symptoms
- Medline Plus: Diabetes Insipidus
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Enlarged Prostate - All Information
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
