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Why Do I Pee So Much

St Pete Urology — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:59:33 +0000

Key takeaways

The frequency of peeing can be used to monitor overall health and anticipate certain problems. A regular peeing rate and volume occur when a person is well-hydrated and there is no undue pressure on the pelvic floor, bladder, and kidneys. A normal range is 5-8 voids in 24 hours and no more than twice at night if over 60 years old.
Nocturia, or frequently peeing at night, can be caused by decreased production of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) with age or a lack of production in children. It can also be caused by drinking too much water, taking diuretic medications, untreated diabetes, urinary tract infections, or an overactive bladder.
It is important to speak with a medical professional if experiencing frequent or urgent peeing as it can be a symptom of underlying health issues.

Peeing can be an inconvenience when it gets more frequent and urgent.

The good news is that you can use your frequency of peeing to monitor how your body works. You can use it to assess your overall health and anticipate certain problems.

What is considered normal when it comes to peeing?

A regular peeing rate and volume occur when you are well-hydrated. There is no undue pressure on your pelvic floor, bladder, and kidneys. It means that you can anticipate when and how frequently you visit the bathroom.

When healthy, a good peeing range is 5-8 voids in 24 hours. At night, you shouldn’t wake up more than twice to pee if you are over 60 years old. When you pee more than eight times in 24 hours, that could mean that you have an overactive bladder.

The amount of urine you pass depends on how much fluid you drink, how big your bladder is, and how much urine your body produces.

Your body makes roughly 3 liters of urine each day. If you have a normal, healthy bladder, you can hold 300-400 ml of urine (approximately 2 cups). The urge to pee should generally start when your bladder has 150ml of urine (just over half a cup).

What is nocturia?

Peeing frequently at night is called nocturia. It means you have to wake up more than once a night to go to the bathroom.

The body usually produces more anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) at night, which prevents your kidneys from filtering and releasing water until you wake up. With normal ADH, you shouldn’t have to struggle to hold urine through your sleep.

However, ADH production decreases with age. That is why older adults are at higher risk of nocturia than younger adults.

ADH takes more time to be produced in children. That is why children below six years tend to wear diapers at night because they can’t hold pee overnight.

What causes peeing too much?

Drinking too much water

The more fluid you drink, the more urine you make, and the more frequently you need to pee. You can tell if you are drinking enough by checking the color of your urine. If your pee is light yellow to clear, then you’re taking in enough fluid.

But if your pee is always clear and you spend a lot longer in the bathroom, then you are probably drinking too much. Though drinking too much fluid isn’t dangerous, you can ease the amount to reduce your visits to the toilet.

Accidental or therapeutic use of diuretics

Diuretic medications help your body to get rid of excess fluid. The drugs work by prompting the kidney to be more permeable to sodium. This allows more sodium in the urine, which draws more water out of the blood into urine, lowering your blood pressure.

Diuretics are used as medications for high blood pressure. You should expect to pass urine a lot more when on these medications.

Drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda can act as diuretics, increasing your peeing frequency.

Untreated diabetes

Untreated diabetes means a continually high level of glucose in your blood. Since your kidneys can’t handle the re-absorption of this extra glucose, it is excreted in the urine.

The presence of glucose in your urine draws additional fluids along with the glucose, resulting in an increased peeing rate. And as you lose more fluids, your body becomes dehydrated, and you feel thirstier than usual. You will end up drinking and peeing a lot more.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter via the urethra and multiply anywhere in your urinary tract. As the bacteria multiply, usually in the bladder, inflammation, and irritation increase the urge to pee.

In some cases, the bladder can become inflamed without an infection. This type of inflammation results in a chronic condition called interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome, which is more common in women.

Overactive bladder

Characterized by a sudden urge to pee that you can’t control, an overactive bladder occurs when signals from the brain fail, causing bladder muscles to want to squeeze out urine when it isn’t full.

This condition is an urge-related form of urinary incontinence, wherein suddenly you feel the need to pee, but not much comes out.

Overactive bladder is more common in people with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or a bladder abnormality like bladder tumor.

These diseases tend to cause damage to the nerves that tell the bladder muscles when to contract.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a condition where muscles that close off the urethra become weak, causing stress-inducing urinary leakage. The leaks may occur when you’re sneezing, coughing, or during strenuous exercise.

Incontinence may be due to pregnancy and childbirth, which weaken pelvic floor muscles.

Additionally, lower estrogen levels after menopause can also cause tissues to deteriorate in the urinary tract, resulting in incontinence.

An enlarged prostate

For men with an enlarged prostate, there may be a constant feeling of needing to pee.

The growing prostate puts pressure on the urethra. It blocks the flow of urine, making the bladder work harder to expel the urine. The leftover urine can become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to inflammation, further messing with the bladder.

Pregnancy

When pregnant, blood volume increases, and the kidneys have to work through the excess fluid. This means that more fluid ends up in the bladder, and you can pee too much.

Increased frequency of peeing starts in the first trimester and gets worse in the subsequent trimesters.

What are the solutions to frequent peeing?

Frequent peeing can be reduced by cutting out bladder irritants from the diet. You can do so by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, citrus, and spicy foods.

You should also quit smoking and lose weight. And drink most of your fluids earlier in the day to avoid trouble at night.

Peeing too much can be treated using medications. You can take medications that relax the bladder and its nearby muscles, such as antidepressants imipramine (Tofranil) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

You can also get a Botox injection into your bladder. This will give temporary relief by paralyzing the muscles and blocking the chemical messenger acetylcholine, which sends signals to your brain to trigger abnormal bladder contractions associated with an overactive bladder.

Anti-cholinergic drugs, such as Oxybutynin, also block acetylcholine.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is also ideal for stress-related incontinence, like pregnancy-linked incontinence.

But when incontinence occurs after menopause, estrogen creams may help by restoring the tissues near the urinary tract.

Bladder training is effective in controlling frequent peeing. It involves trying to go longer and longer without peeing over time.

For instance, if you go every hour, you can extend that time by 10 minutes for some days. Then keep adding on 10 minutes until you find yourself holding your pee for a longer period.

Safe, effective treatment of urinary incontinence

If you are peeing too much, you should see a urologist to determine the cause and degree of incontinence you have.

At St Pete Urology, we’ve helped many patients recover from leaky bladders through our tailored treatments.

Our solutions include behavioral therapies, pelvic muscle rehabilitation, incontinence devices, medication, Botox injections, and surgery. Our doctors have vast experience in diagnosing urinary incontinence and in providing the most appropriate treatments.

References

“Frequent Urination.” Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/frequent-urination
“Frequent Urination.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021813/
“Frequent urination: Causes, diagnosis, and treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70782

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Should You Take Medicine for Treating Enlarged Prostate?

St Pete Urology — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 07:36:20 +0000

As a man ages, his prostate may become larger, a disorder known as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). While an enlarged prostate is neither a serious nor a life-threatening condition, it can cause urinating problems in men aged 50 years and older. Men with urinary problems should immediately see their doctor for a prompt and accurate diagnosis because symptoms of BPH are similar to those of prostate cancer. A patient should also see a doctor immediately when experiencing fever, chills, back pain, side pain, abdominal pain, bloody or cloudy urine, or pain when urinating.

Treatment of Enlarged Prostate

After a diagnosis of prostate enlargement, the urologist evaluates the severity of symptoms before recommending treatment. You are expected to participate in the decision making process to ensure you get the best treatment possible. Generally, no medications are prescribed for enlarged prostate unless the symptoms are severe, bothersome or accompanied by problems such as bladder stones or bladder infection. In fact, around 4 out of 10 men usually have no symptoms or have their symptoms improve without medications or surgery and only require lifestyle changes to manage BPH. Conversely, 1 in 4 men in their late 50s, 1 in 3 men in their late 60s, and 1 in 2 men in their late 70s and beyond can expect to have bothersome symptoms that require medications or even surgery.

Watchful Waiting

Should you take medications for treating enlarged prostate? After the diagnosis of BPH, you will have to choose either watchful waiting or medicine as your primary treatment, though surgery is sometimes necessary for serious symptoms. The best treatment option for men with minimal and less bothersome symptoms is watchful waiting. It involves combining lifestyle measures that prevent or relieve symptoms of BPH with visits to the urologist at least once a year for physical examination, testing and symptom status review.

Men managing BPH through watchful waiting must limit the amount of fluid they consume at any given time, avoid drinking fluids after 7 p.m., avoid beverages containing caffeine, avoid delaying urination, cut back on salty or spicy foods, limit alcohol intake, engage in regular physical activity and Kegel exercises, avoid cold weather and keep themselves warm, control their weight, control their blood sugar level, eat diets rich in vegetables, and avoid over-the-counter antihistamines (decongestants).

You should opt for watchful waiting if:

(a) You experience mild and less bothersome BPH symptoms.
(b) The side effects of the medicine may bother you more than the mild symptoms of BPH.
(c) You can attend regular medical checkups (at least once a year).
(d) You can effectively use special bathroom techniques, cut back on your fluid intake and change your lifestyle.

Medicines

If your symptoms are severe or worsen during watchful waiting, you should consider taking BPH medications. The three types of drugs commonly used for treating enlarged prostate are alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Alpha-blockers are fast-acting drugs that relax prostate muscles and relieve urination problems within a few days or weeks. They include terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), Alfuzosin (UroXatral) and tamsulosin (Flomax). Drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar) cause shrinkage of the prostate and improve symptoms, albeit after several months. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor called tadalafil (Cialis for daily use) has also been approved for use in treating BPH.

When using a prescription for managing enlarged prostate, you will take the pills every day for life, have regular medical checkups, and use special bathroom techniques such as relaxation and double voiding. The medicines will reduce the risk of urinary retention, relieve symptoms and minimize risks of future surgery. However, prescriptions are often expensive and come with certain side effects such as trouble getting an erection, diminished sex drive, tiredness, dizziness, and stuffy nose.

Conclusion

When you have problems urinating, you should immediately see a doctor as you may have an enlarged prostate. At the urology clinic, the doctor will perform a physical exam and run a few tests to find out if you have BPH. If BPH is confirmed, the urologist will explain to you the treatment options available, such as watchful waiting, medications and or surgery for serious cases. The treatment option chosen will depend on the severity of symptoms and your desire to improve the quality of your life. You should consider watchful waiting if you have mild symptoms and want to avoid the adverse effects of drugs. However, in case of severe BPH symptoms, you should take medications to relieve symptoms and possibly prevent the need for surgery in the future. For more information on treating an enlarged prostate, visit St Pete Urology in St Petersburg, Florida.

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Directions to St Pete Urology

St Pete Urology — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 03:08:56 +0000

St Pete Urology is conveniently located at 830 Central Ave, Suite 100 St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA [Read Full Article…]

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What is Voiding Dysfunction? Treating it Using a Minimally Invasive Procedure

St Pete Urology — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 07:19:39 +0000

Voiding Dysfunction is a general term to describe the condition where there is a lack of coordination between the bladder muscle (detrusor) and the urethra. [Read Full Article…]

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Are certain foods helpful in addressing erectile dysfunction (ED)?

St Pete Urology — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:18:48 +0000

It’s possible. Research published in January 2016 found that men who ate foods high in antioxidants called flavonoids had a lower risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) than those who didn’t eat a flavonoid-rich diet.

Flavonoids can be found in certain plant-based foods like citrus fruits, blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, cherries, blackberries, radishes, and blackcurrant. Some teas, herbs, and wines also have flavonoids in them.

Past studies have shown that consuming flavonoids could reduce a person’s risk for diabetes and heart disease, both of which can lead to ED.

Eating a healthy diet overall, particularly a Mediterranean diet, can go a long way in preserving erectile function, however.

This type of diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil. Nuts and fish are good additions.

What does diet have to do with erections?

When a man is sexually-aroused, his penis fills with blood, giving it the firmness it needs for sex. Many men with ED have poor blood flow to the penis. Some medical conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, can damage blood vessels and nerves that are critical for this process.

Eating a healthy diet keeps the body in good working order. It can help men maintain a healthy weight, keep their blood sugar under control, and reduce the risk of blood vessel damage, which can impair blood flow.

Diet isn’t the only path to good erections, however. Other lifestyle habits, like regular exercise, quitting smoking, and managing depression are important too.

A man’s doctor can help him decide which dietary changes to make. However, men who are having trouble with erections should be sure to mention it. Many factors can contribute to ED and it’s best to have a complete medical checkup. [Read Full Article…]

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The Penile Prosthesis Procedure

St Pete Urology — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:12:41 +0000

Penile Prosthesis devices are either malleable (bendable) or inflatable. The simplest consists of a pair of malleable rods surgically implanted within the erection chambers of the penis [Read Full Article…]

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10 Quick Facts About Lithotripsy by St Pete Urology

St Pete Urology — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:30:00 +0000

Lithotripsy is a medical procedure involving the disintegration of kidney stones, gallstones and bezoars using high-energy shock waves. Once the procedure is done, small stone fragments (or gravel) come out through urine. The Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), in which the shock waves are produced outside the body, is the most common type of lithotripsy.

10 Quick Facts About Lithotripsy

1. An ESWL is generally done when a stone is too big to move on its own, or when it becomes entrapped in the ureter (the tube carrying urine from the kidney to bladder) causing enormous pain.

2. ESWL is not done on people weighing over 300 lbs, individuals with skeletal deformities, persons with severe bleeding disorders, and pregnant women. Patients with cardiac pacemakers should undergo this treatment only after being approved by a cardiologist.

3. Prior to lithotripsy, a thorough physical examination is done, followed by an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) test to determine the size, location and number of stones.

4. Older individuals should first undergo an EKG (electrocardiogram) test to detect possible cardiac defects. Also, women of childbearing age should take a pregnancy test. Some patients will have a stent inserted into the ureter to allow the passage of gravel through urine.

5. The entire lithotripsy process takes nearly an hour to complete, during which time up to 8,000 shock waves are administered. This may cause some discomfort to the patient based on tolerance level. In most cases, a urologist administers analgesics to relieve the pain.

6. After the treatment, most patients see blood in their urine. This clears out within a week, and patients are advised to drink extra fluids during this period to promote the flushing out of any stone pieces from the urinary system.

7. Patients should pay a follow-up visit to the urologist two weeks after the treatment to ensure that everything is going as planned. This is also the time when the stents will be removed.

8. The potential risks of the procedure include mild temporary abdominal pain. However, severe or persistent pain could imply an unexpected injury.

9. Renal pain is common when gravel passes through the urine. In about 60% of cases, blood clots may form in the kidney area. Other possible complications are pancreatitis, nerve palsies and obstruction of the stone pieces.

10. Alternatives to lithotripsy involve surgery (although this process has become obsolete) and altering the urine’s pH to dissolve the stones. These treatments, however, have had limited success.

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Artificial Sphincter for Male Incontinence

St Pete Urology — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 06:54:39 +0000

Male incontinence is rarely life-threatening, but it often hampers a normal lifestyle. It may result in damp undergarments, skin rashes, skin irritation, limited physical activity, reduced social contacts and relationships, and even male impotence or diminished interest in sex. The urologists at St Pete Urology can prescribe one of many different treatments for male incontinence, including medications, biofeedback techniques and exercise programs. However, for patients who do not respond to these treatments, the surgical implantation of an artificial sphincter is the best option. Urologists will carefully evaluate the patient before recommending an artificial sphincter. [Read Full Article…]

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Common Causes of Testoterone Deficiency

St Pete Urology — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 06:57:22 +0000

Testosterone deficiency affects male sexuality adversely because of the important roles that androgenic hormones play in the body. For instance, normal levels of testosterone help in maintaining a healthy mood, sexual desire, fertility and normal energy levels. Depending on age, low testosterone levels can lead to male impotence, bone and muscle development abnormalities and underdeveloped genitalia. Testosterone deficiency has been reported in alarmingly high numbers of males. In the United States alone, over 13 million men experience testosterone deficiency, but less than 10% of these men receive treatment for the disorder. Many studies have revealed that diabetes, hypertension and obesity increase the risk of testosterone deficiency in men. [Read Full Article…]

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Who is Dr Nicholas Laryngakis of St Pete Urology?

St Pete Urology — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:26:53 +0000

Dr Nicholas Laryngakis is an experienced urologist at St Pete Urology clinic in the Tampa Bay Area. He received his medical degree at University of Florida College of Medicine. He is known for his skill, professionalism, scholarship and leadership in the nationally recognized Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. To learn more about Dr Nicholas Laryngakis, call us at (727) 478-1172 or visit us in St Petersburg, Florida.

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