Bladder problems: when the urge to urinate becomes a burden

Going to the toilet is part of nature, but what happens when the urge to urinate becomes a problem? The human body normally produces about one and a half litres of urine each day. The urine is produced in the kidneys, stored in the bladder and is then released during urination. Emptying the bladder 3 to 5 times a day¹ is usual, but this can increase to up to 8 times a day depending on the amount of fluid intake. Dysfunctions or infections upset the equilibrium of this complex process; the results vary from increased frequency and urge to urinate to involuntary urinary leaks. If these symptoms occur often, there are a number of possible causes:

• Urinary tract infection
• Bladder weakness or overactive bladder  
  

If you have an unusually frequent urge to urinate, we recommend seeking medical advice.

Your doctor may first analyse your blood and urine values and can possibly ask you to keep a diary in which you record the frequency and amount of urination to help determine the cause. In some cases a bladder examination (a cytoscopy) or an ultrasound examination of the urinary tract can also be done. If there is an underlying psychological cause for a dysfunction, relaxation exercises and yoga or acupuncture can be helpful.

¹ Lukacz et al. A healthy bladder: a consensus statement. Int J Clin Pract, October 2011, 65, 10, 1026–1036 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21923844