What is frequent urination?
Frequent urination refers to an urge to pass urine more frequently than normal. It may interrupt one’s normal routine, disrupt the sleep cycle, and it can be an indicator of an underlying medical condition. A lot of folks live with frequent urination, known as urinary frequency. It is different from polyuria when one urinates over 3 liters a day of urine. Often, there’s often a simple cause that may be remedied through therapy. Urinary frequency isn’t the same as urinary incontinence, where there is leakage of urine.
At times, frequent urination can signal a more serious illness. People with an overactive bladder feel the need to urinate frequently. Lack of control on the bladder activity may cause situations of involuntary urination. Frequent urination may turn into a lifestyle problem, influence social relationships, cause humiliation, and disrupt work schedules.
Frequent urination was identified as one of the causes of (UTI) Urinary Tract Infection, Insomnia (because of Nocturia), and it’s also regarded as a symptom in enlarged prostrate among men. An overactive bladder (OAB) means your bladder has problems storing urine normally. Frequent symptoms of OAB include:
– being unable to hold your pee
– experiencing leakage when you need to urinate (incontinence)
– needing to go to the bathroom more often than usual
– needing to urinate several times through the night
With time, these symptoms can affect your everyday life. They can make it more difficult to plan excursions, cause unintentional disruptions through work, or influence your sleep quality.
Frequent urination causes
OAB may have many causes, such as aging-related changes, medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, bladder obstruction, and weak pelvic muscles. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. OAB is a prevalent and treatable illness.
Several remedies like herbs, exercises, and behavioral treatments are proven to help treat menopausal symptoms.
Discover holistic remedies, diet, and exercise tips to strengthen an overactive bladder and reduce trips to the toilet.
Herbal remedies for an overactive bladder
Some herbal remedies have been studied with positive outcomes for frequent urination:
– Ganoderma lucidum (GL): Also called lingzhi mushroom, this extract from East Asia is used to treat many ailments such as hepatitis, hypertension, and cancers. In a recent study, 50 men reported greater scores for IPSS.
– Chinese herbal mixtures: Gosha-jinki-gan (GJG) is a combination of 10 traditional Chinese herbs. Several studies have been performed with this herbal combination, and researchers found which GJG inhibits the bladder and considerably improves daytime frequency. Individuals who took 7.5 mg of GJG each day also reported better results in their Global Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), which records urinary symptoms. Another Chinese herbal medicine is Hachimi-jio-gan (HE). He’s composed of eight natural ingredients, some of which are also in GJG. Preliminary studies reveal he may have an impact on bladder muscle contraction.
– Capsaicin: Capsaicin is located in the fleshy part of Chile peppers, not the seeds. It’s commonly used in treating nasal congestion syndrome, which is frequently a symptom of OAB. Studies have discovered that summit bladder capacity increased from 106 milliliters to 302 milliliters.
– Corn silk (Zea mays): Corn silk is the waste material from corn cultivation. Nations from China to France utilize this as a traditional medicine for many ailments, such as bedwetting and bladder irritation. According to the International Continence Society, it could assist with strengthening and restoring mucous membranes from the urinary tract to reduce incontinence.
Always check with your physician before taking any herbal supplements. They can interact with medications you’re taking and cause unintended side effects.
Foods to help frequent urination
– Kohki tea: Kohki tea is the infusion of a subtropical plant in southern China. This sweet tea is sold over the counter in Japan and is high in antioxidants. It’s also proven to have protective effects on the bladder. One research study discovered that Kohli tea had a substantial protective effect on bladder function and contractile responses in rabbits with partial bladder obstruction.
– Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are packaged with omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory
properties. One study discovered that pumpkin seed oil improves abnormal urinary function and reduces symptoms of OAB. Another Japanese research discovered that pumpkin seeds and soybean seed extract also significantly reduced incontinence. Participants took five pills of the processed food two times a day for the first two weeks and then three tablets every day for another five.
– Other bladder-friendly beverages include:
– apple or pear juices
– barley water
– diluted squash
– fruit teas
– soy milk
– cranberry juice
– plain water
Home remedies
Ayurvedic remedies can also be tried at home for frequent urination:>
– Amla: Amla clears the bladder and tones bladder muscles to increase control over involuntary urination. For the best results, grind a few Amla and extract the juice, mix it with honey. Eat this juice with a ripe banana twice or thrice a day to see fantastic results.
– Cumin: Cumin regularizes the functions of the bladder and prevents UTI. Take cumin in tea form. Boil one teaspoon in 2 cups of fresh water until the water reduces to half. Let it cool, mash the seeds with a spoon, and strain. You can drink this with a little honey twice a day rather than normal tea.
– Sesame Seeds: Sesame seed is a rich source of minerals and lots of active ingredients which modulate bladder functions. To take sesame for frequent urination, combine it with jaggery and eat it twice or thrice a day.
– Tulsi: In some instances of frequent urination can be caused because bladder disease. Tulsi works quite effectively in controlling bladder infections and helping in regulating urinary functions. Early in the morning, crush 2-3 fresh leaves and take with a spoon of honey.
– Reetha: Besides being great for hair, Reetha is also helpful in treating frequent urination. Soak Reetha overnight, and early next morning, on an empty stomach, drink this for a week to find relief in frequent urination.
Foods & drinks to avoid for frequent urination
While you might choose to drink less liquid so that you don’t need to urinate as frequently, you still need to ensure you stay hydrated. More concentrated urine, usually darker in color, can irritate your bladder and cause more frequent urination. Other foods and beverages can lead to frequent urination and OAB symptoms, such as:
– tomato-based foods
– coffee
– alcohol
– citrus fruits
– tea
– spicy foods
– artificial sweeteners
– chocolate
– soda
You can test which beverages or meals irritate your bladder by removing them from your diet one by one. Subsequently, reincorporate them one by one every two to three days at a time. Permanently eliminate the particular food or beverage that worsens your symptoms.
– Lifestyle changes: Smoking can irritate the bladder muscle and lead to coughing, which often contributes to incontinence. You can lower the number of times you get out of bed by not drinking two to three hours before you sleep. It’s also suggested to refrain from smoking.
– Bladder training: This involves learning how to delay urination each time you have the urge to go. You may begin by trying to hold off for 10 minutes. The goal is to lengthen the time between bathroom trips until you are urinating every two to four hours. Bladder training may also involve urinating, waiting a couple of minutes, and trying again to empty your bladder more completely.
– Schedule bathroom trips: Timed your urination. Go into the bathroom according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to proceed.
– Pelvic floor muscle exercise: These exercises, called Kegels, strengthen the abdominal muscles, which help control urination. An image that you are trying to stop the flow of urine. If you are using the appropriate muscles, you will feel a pulling sensation. Pull in your pelvic muscles and hold for a count of three. Relax for a count of three. Work up to 10 to 15 repetitions each time your workout. An improvement in bladder control may take three months to effectively see results.
Weight loss for frequent urination
Losing weight: Extra weight may also increase the pressure in your bladder and cause stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is when urine leaks after you do something, which increases pressure on the bladder, such as laughing, sneezing, or lifting. While eating healthy foods can help you lose excess weight, getting regular exercise such as strength training can help with long-term direction.
Research demonstrates that women who are overweight and have incontinence had fewer episodes of OAB. One study found that women with obesity who shed 10 percent of their body weight saw improved bladder control by 50 percent.
Constipation & OAB.
Occasionally constipation can put additional pressure on your bladder. You can prevent constipation by exercising regularly and adding more fiber to your diet. Foods high in fiber include legumes, whole-wheat fruits, pieces of bread, and veggies. According to the Cleveland Clinic, eating two tbsp of a mixture of 1 cup of applesauce, 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran, and 3/4 cup of prune juice each morning promotes bowel regularity.
Summary
Speak with a doctor if your symptoms are interfering with your general health. Tell them if you have tried these remedies. Your doctor will work with you to get suitable treatment. This might consist of OAB drugs or surgery. Read more about the surgical options for OAB here. Always speak with your doctor before trying alternative remedies for your frequent urination. They may cause unintended side effects. Ensure to get your herbs from a trusted source. Many herbs are not well researched and do not undergo quality control procedures or human trials to demonstrate their effectiveness.
