Kidney Disease Signs: Is Frequent Urination Is One Of Them?

Most people have a bladder that can store urine until it is convenient to go to the toilet – typically 4-8 times a day. Needing to rush to the bathroom more than 8 times a day or waking up in the middle of the night could mean you have been drinking too much fluid before going to bed. Technically, this condition is known as frequent urination.

However, frequent urination does not always happen when you drink up gallons of water. If you feel the urge to urinate frequently, especially at night, it could be a sign of a kidney disorder.

What causes you to urinate frequently?

When the filters in your kidney are damaged, your urge to urinate increases. Sometimes, this may signify an enlarged prostate or an infection in the urinary tract.

• Urinary tract infections – The bladder and the tube carrying urine from it and out of your body (urethra lining) becomes irritated and inflamed due to by-products of an infection. This urges you to empty your bladder more often. However, the amount of urine discharged decreases with every trip you make to the loo.

• Enlarged prostate – An enlarged prostate presses against the urethra and obstructs urine flow. This causes the walls of the bladder to become inflamed. The bladder shrinks even when it consists of a tiny amount of urine, leading to frequent urination.

Other types of kidney disorders that may cause you to urinate frequently are –

• Anterior prolapse

• Bladder stones

• Interstitial cystitis

• Urethral stricture

Signs indicating a kidney disease

Frequent urination resulting from a damaged kidney is often accompanied by other symptoms such as –

• Abdominal discomfort and pain

• Losing control of your bladder

• The unusual colour of the urine

• Difficulty urinating – tiny droplets oozing out

Many of the kidney diseases mentioned above could be serious. Therefore, it is imperative that you discuss the symptoms with your doctor and seek appropriate treatment to manage the condition.