Urinary urgency (patient information)
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Urinary urgency |
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Urinary urgency On the Web |
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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [1]
Overview
Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder.
A frequent need to urinate at night is called nocturia. Most people can sleep for 6 to 8 hours without having to urinate. Middle aged and older men often wake to urinate once in the early morning hours.
What causes Urinary urgency?
Together, frequent and urgent urination are classic signs of a urinary tract infection.
Diabetes, pregnancy, and prostate problems are other common causes of these symptoms.
Other causes include:
- Anxiety
- Enlarged prostate
- Interstitial cystitis
- Medicines such as diuretics
- Overactive bladder syndrome
- Prostatitis (infection of the prostate gland)
- Stroke and other brain or nervous system diseases
- Tumor or mass in the pelvis
- Urinary incontinence
- Vaginitis
Less common causes:
- Bladder cancer
- Bladder dysfunction
- Radiation therapy to the pelvis, used to treat certain cancers
- Drinking too much before bedtime, especially caffeine or alcohol, can cause frequent urination at nighttime. Frequent urination may also simply just be a habit.
Home Care Follow the therapy recommended by your doctor to treat the underlying cause of your urinary frequency or urgency. It may help to keep a diary of times and amounts of urine voided to bring with you to the doctor.
In some cases, you may experience some urinary incontinence for a period of time. You may need to take steps to protect your clothing and bedding.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your doctor right away if:
- You have fever, back or side pain, vomiting, or shaking chills
- You have increased thirst or appetite, fatigue, or sudden weight loss
Also call your doctor if:
- You have urinary frequency or urgency, but you are not pregnant and you are not drinking excessive amounts of fluid
- You have incontinence or have altered your lifestyle because of your symptoms
- You have bloody or cloudy urine
- There is a discharge from the penis or vagina
- What to Expect at Your Office Visit
- Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Medical history questions may include:
Tests that may be done include:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture and sensitivity tests
- Cystometry (a measurement of the pressure within the bladder)
- Cystoscopy
- Neurological tests (for some urgency problems)
- Ultrasonography (such as an abdominal ultrasound or a pelvic ultrasound)
Treatment is determined by the cause of the urgency and frequency. Antibiotics and medicine may be prescribed to lessen the discomfort, if needed.
Prevention
For nighttime urination, avoid excessive fluid before going to bed, particularly coffee, other caffeinated beverages, and alcohol.