Being caught short can be extremely inconvenient and sometimes down right embarrassing, but most of the time there is an identifiable reason behind your free-flowing bladder that can be treated quickly and easily. We asked Dr. Seth Rankin of the London Doctors Clinic to round up the possible causes of your frequent toilet visits.
First Dr. Rankin explains why our bodies need to urinate as a bit of context to what might be going on in there if you’re needing to go so regularly. We urinate to flush out any waste products, which means a higher ‘output’ of urine, if you will, is usually simply a sign of good hydration.
It also keeps body fluid levels down, because if this fails to happen, ‘we get fluid build-up in the form of oedema – commonly seen in the form of puffy ankles,’ the doctor says. So really, you should be thinking of frequent toilet breaks as a good thing, but here are some of the possible reasons why it happens:
1. Drinking too much
Without meaning to state the obvious, if we drink too much we will need to go to the toilet more often. ‘There’s so much made about the health benefits of drinking 2 litres of water every day, but this is a myth,’ says Dr. Rankin, before he goes on to explain why:
‘Research many years ago showed an average person needs about 2 litres of water every day for optimum health. This same research noted that about 1.6 litres comes from the food we eat. Even what seems dry as a bone in your mouth is mostly water.’
According to Dr Rankin, we actually only need around 400-600 ml (roughly two glasses of water) a day, although this differs if you have cystitis or another reason to want to pee more.
2. Overactive bladder
Overly-frequent toilet trips and the occasional accident could be a sign of an overactive bladder, which is when the bladder suddenly and uncontrollably contracts, even when not full, for no apparent reason.Dr. Rankin says:
‘If this contraction is associated with loss of bladder control, it’s known as ‘urge incontinence’. While the cause is unknown, pelvic floor exercises and bladder training can help regain bladder control, along with weight loss (if necessary) and drinking less caffeine.’
3. Diabetes
One of the main symptoms of diabetes is feeling excessively thirsty, which can cause an excessive intake of liquid. ‘Undiagnosed diabetics often end up drinking far more than usual before they get diagnosed. And as we all know – what goes in must come out!’
If you’re concerned about this, it might be time to pop to your GP to get your glucose levels checked.
4. Urinary incontinence
Defined as ‘the unintentional passing of urine’, urinary incontinence can feel embarrassing, but it’s actually very common. Causes can range from damage during childbirth, to being a repercussion of certain surgeries like hysterectomies.
Dr Rankin explains: “Laughing, coughing and sneezing can increase the pressure in the bladder beyond its ability to hold urine in, resulting in an accident.” Once again, training your pelvic floor muscles can help with this.
Related: Scientists discover how much urine is in the average swimming pool
5. Nervous bathroom trips
Right before that big interview, on your way to that blind date, or before that exam you’ve been dreading – we all know the nervous wee. You know your bladder isn’t full and you don’t actually need to go, but your mind won’t seem to rest until you’ve at least tried.
“This is an inconvenient part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system – the ‘fight or flight’ response to stressful situations,” says Dr. Rankin. “This releases a surge of the hormone adrenaline into the blood, which in turn increases urine flow.”
6. A small bladder
You might be surprised by how little liquid the bladder actually holds. ‘The bladder holds on average 300-500ml of water, which is just a couple of cups of tea, or one small bottle of water. But if you find that just one drink sends you running for the loo, this might just be because you have a small bladder.
Similarly, if for any reason your bladder is being compressed, such as in the late stages of pregnancy, you’ll find yourself needing to go to the toilet far more often.’
7. That hot drink addiction…
So the more tea and coffee you drink, the more trips to the loo you need to make. Dr Rankin explains: ‘Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes increased urine output and reduces the body’s total fluid volume.’
It’s also thought that the same goes for alcohol, which explains the science behind ‘breaking the seal’ and also why you always wake up with a mouth drier than the Sahara Desert the following day.
8. Habitual trips to the toilet
Sometimes you don’t even need to wee, it’s just a habit. ‘Whether it’s before starting watching a long film, when you’re about to leave for a long car journey (or if the journey has just begun, if you’re that kind of annoying person), or last thing at night, that habitual trip may merely be psychological.’
From: Netdoctor UK
PHOTO: iStock/grinvalds
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