Before pregnancy, Aditi would visit the toilet around 6 to 8 times a day. Even while travelling, or walking back home from her job at the local school, she could hold her urine for up to 6-8 minutes. Post the birth of her twins, though, Aditi says she’s developed a bit of a ‘urine problem’.
“The issue is mainly frequent urination,” Aditi says. “I feel like I have to urinate almost all the time, especially if I have been standing. Sometimes I feel this strong urge, but when I go to the toilet, there is nothing. This urine problem makes it difficult for me to finish work at home and take care of the kids. If it does not go away how will I restart work?”
Maganlal, meanwhile, no longer wants to drive his taxi. When we approach him, he is hesitant and shy, but when we tell him what we do, he finally opens up.
“There are traffic jams, customers want to go far distances,” he says. “No one wants to sit and wait when the taxi driver goes to the toilet. These days I have a urine problem. I need to go every half an hour, or I feel like it will just happen. Imagine driving a long distance, having to stop every time you see a public toilet? It is too embarrassing. I would rather not drive.”
Both Aditi and Maganlal are facing classic symptoms of frequent urination. However, neither of them has spoken to their families about it. Aditi feels her frequent urination problems will make her less desirable for her husband, while Maganlal feels losing control of his body makes him weak, less male.
What both of them need to do is visit a doctor. Yet, like over 60% of patients with frequent urination, they hesitate—waiting up to 1.5 years before finally going for a diagnosis.
Are You Struggling With Frequent Urination?
If you’ve ever googled ‘frequent urination symptoms’, or searched for something that brought you to this article, chances are you are suffering from frequent urination. A situation in which one is required to urinate 10+ times a day, and often at night is called frequent urination. While all of us have had trouble holding our urine perhaps once or twice in our lives, those with frequent urination have it perhaps every time they need to use the toilet.
Frequent urination can also be excessive urination caused due to diuretics, steroids or other medication. It is, however, different from excessive urination caused in winter due to the lack of sweat.
Unfortunately, due to the taboo and stigma surrounding urination, sufferers often go through several years of their life without reporting their symptoms of treating them. This should not be done because a diagnosis can help understand what frequent urination is a sign of in the patient.
How Frequent Urination is Impacting Your Everyday Life?
Some of the worst ways frequent urination can affect a sufferer’s daily life are as follows:
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Sufferers often isolate themselves since they are unable to speak to even their closest family and friends about what they are facing.
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Sufferers of incontinence stop going to work or to parties, or anywhere where a toilet is not close to sight. This results in further alienation
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One in four seniors suffering from frequent urination fall while using/trying to use the toilet at night. This results in debilitating injuries and sometimes even death.
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Reduced water consumption: This is one of the most prevalent side effects, with patients cutting back on their water intake to control toilet trips, eventually leading to kidney problems and stones.
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Shame: Having to go to the bathroom often, wetting the bed, or requiring family assistance can be quite distressing for sufferers and have a significant impact on their mental health.
As a result, it is advised that anyone experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms see a doctor very away. A doctor can help patients understand how to stop frequent urination and spot advanced symptoms including fever, extreme hunger and thirst, stomach swelling, abrupt weight loss or gain, and vaginal or penile discharge.
When You Should See A Doctor for for Frequent Urination?
According to a research we conducted, most people suffer from frequent urination for nearly 1.5 years before speaking about it to family or consulting a doctor. However, it is recommended that a doctor be consulted as soon as two-three months after the origin of the issue. This is especially important since a diagnosis can help understand what frequent urination is a sign of.
The failure to diagnose and manage frequent urination can result in severe complications. Fairly common issues such as diabetes and kidney infection if left untreated can become life-threatening. Some advanced frequent urination symptoms are:
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Infertility
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Diabetic coma
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Spread of cancer
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Kidney failure
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Ketoacidosis
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Shock
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Blood infections
What to Expect at a Doctor’s Appointment?
Most commonly patients visit urologists, gynecologists or neurologists when they face frequent urination. The doctor’s task is to help you find out why frequent urination is occurring—that is, due to the underlying cause, such as high BP, diabetes, prostate issues, etc.
The prescribed treatment helps address the underlying problem that is causing the frequent urination symptoms. Treating this problem would then also automatically solve bladder leakage.
The doctor may also recommend certain behavioral therapies. They are as follows:
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Monitoring your diet and fluid intake: Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, chocolate, artificial sweeteners and oily foods may worsen incontinence. Eating high fibre, drinking ample water and replenishing electrolytes may help. Not drinking water 1-2 hours before bedtime may also help.
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Bladder training: This involves training your bladder to pass urine at fixed internals of your choosing, instead of at random times due to a strong urge, This helps the bladder to learn to hold urine longer and urinate less frequently.
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Kegel exercises: These are especially important in women post pregnancy, They involve clenching the muscles in the pelvic region so that they remain tight and strong, and capable of passing urine.
Doctors may also recommend the use of catheters and botox to help tighten muscles in the region. Depending on the underlying cause various surgeries to tighten and reconstruct the urinary system may also be options.
How Friend's Diaper Can Help You Deal With Frequent Urination Problems
Another easy way to manage frequent urination symptoms is the ur of adult diapers. Aditi and Maganlal both began using Friends Adult Dry Pants which gave them relief from the constant worry of urine leakage. Friends Dry Pants are super absorbent, super soft and made with the utmost care to ensure there is no leakage, tearing, spilling, smell or rashes on the skin. The diapers are easy to use, easy to throw and affordable. If you are suffering, or know anyone else who may be suffering, from urinary incontinence, try Friends Dry Pants—the easiest way to deal with frequent urination problems!
