Most children's urinary habits go through changes as they learn to better control their impulse to go to the bathroom and become potty-trained. However, there are some disorders that may develop in a child and cause excessive urination to occur. If you are a parent whose child is suffering from frequent urination attacks, it is important to be patient and help your child through this problem. You should also consult a pediatrician to determine the root cause of the urinary disorder.
Healthy Rate
A urinary disorder can cause children to experience the urge to urinate every 10 minutes and as many as 30 times a day. This is far beyond the normal number of bathroom visits for a child. According to the Department of Urology of the University of California San Francisco, children typically go to the bathroom four to six times every day. However, you should be mindful of how some factors, particularly fluid consumption, can raise or lower the number of bathroom trips needed in a day.
Voiding Dysfunction
Voiding dysfunction is a common type of urinary disorder among children, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com, and it is largely psychological in nature--the Web site reports children with this disorder simply don't know how to vacate their bladder properly, or they may simply be in too much of a rush to try and fully relieve themselves. Fortunately, there are several things a parent can do at home to help a child suffering from this condition, as opposed to other problems requiring medical attention.
Pollakuria
This is a condition most often affecting children between three and eight years of age. Its cause is unknown, although KeepKidsHealthy.com suggests stress may be a factor. Children suffering from pollakuria may suffer anywhere from 10 to 30 bathroom breaks a day, and this can last for up to three months, although it usually goes away after that time. No treatment is necessary for this condition.
Other Problems
Urinary tract infections can affect the urgency and frequency of your child's bathroom breaks, and there is often pain associated with urination, as well as fever and abdominal pain in some cases. Diabetes mellitus is tied to your child's blood sugar levels and results in large and frequent amounts of urination to occur, as well as weight loss in some children. Young girls may also develop vulvovaginitis, an irritation of the skin surrounding the vagina similar in symptoms to urinary tract infections.
Treatments
Children with a voiding problem can be aided by their parents coaching them on proper bladder vacation, including having them sit on the toilet and push to relieve their bladder and having them lean forward to further clear out the urine. Over time, this will become a habit for your child. Conditions like urinary tract infections can be treated with antibiotics, and diabetes mellitus can be relieved by treating and taking care of your child's disorder.
