You are certainly not the only person who has wondered how often it is normal and healthy to urinate per day. In fact, this aspect is extremely important for our health and we can face such problems throughout our lives.
On average, a person urinates 6-8 times a day, which is perfectly normal as long as the limit of no more than 10 times a day is not exceeded. How often you urinate is determined by several factors, including your age, the bladder size, the amount of fluids you drink, and how much alcohol or caffeine you have had. If you are a coffee lover, this explains your frequent need to go to the toilet.
If you notice that you go more often than usual, it is time to pay a visit to the doctor. The need to go to the toilet, especially at night, can be a sign that you have an overactive bladder, leading to bladder spasms, even when it is not full. Naturally, circumstances such as pregnancy and the first few weeks after birth can affect how often you urinate. During pregnancy, a woman urinates more often, and this is because of fluid changes and the pressure of the foetus on the bladder. After giving birth, women still have to experience this discomfort for at least eight weeks, which is how the body responds to the mobilization and elimination of fluids after delivery.
Diseases affecting the frequency of urination
Several medical conditions can affect how often you go to the toilet, and urinary incontinence, retention or, in the case of men, the prostate, are among the main causes.
Other conditions that can cause excessive urination are:
Diabetes. If you have diabetes, excess sugar in your blood is excreted in the urine and increases diuresis, which is why you urinate more often.
Hypo or hypercalcemia. If the level of calcium in your body is out of balance, whether it is too high or too low, this can have an impact on the amount of urine you produce.
Urinary tract infection. Both men and women (mostly women) can experience urinary tract infections, which cause discomfort due to the unpleasant sensation of needing to go to the toilet. This condition comes with the urgent need to urinate, even if the bladder is empty, and during a urinary tract infection, the amount of urine evacuated is less than usual. In addition, you may have a burning sensation when urinating, and for this reason, it is recommended to go to the doctor.
Prostate. When the prostate enlarges, it can block the amount of urine in the bladder, which will not allow the complete evacuation of fluids even after urination.
People suffering from heart diseases, blood pressure or kidney problems need to take diuretics. They remove the fluid from the blood cells and send it to the kidneys. Both coffee and caffeine have diuretic effects, which lead to frequent urination. For example, caffeine is found in many foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, hot chocolate or energy drinks.
When you should see a doctor
Even if you urinate too often or too rarely during the day, always seek professional advice. Other symptoms for which you should seek medical advice are:
- fever and back pain;
- bleeding during urination;
- whitish, milky colour;
- strong or abnormal smell of urine.
Tips for a healthy urinary tract
It is important to know that, in general, for women, urination before or after sex, hot baths, showers and tampon use do not cause nor prevent urinary tract infections.
- Eat foods rich in probiotics, especially lactobacillus, which is found in yoghurt and kefir. Studies show that, in this way, women avoid urinary tract infections;
- wear cotton underwear;
- avoid tight jeans and leggings;
- do not sleep wearing underwear. Let your genitals breathe;
- drink between 8 and 12 glasses of water daily;
- avoid excess alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeine;
- avoid things that can cause bladder irritation, such as artificial sweeteners and cigarettes.
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