Is Frequent Urination A Sign Of Urinary Tract Dysfunction? Know From Expert

If you find yourself making unusually frequent trips to the bathroom even when you have had nothing or little to drink, it might be something unexpected like urinary tract dysfunction. While most people ignore this sign assuming it to be temporary, experts suggest that it deserves attention, especially when it begins to affect your daily life. The National Center for Biotechnology Information also states urinary problems in Indian women range from 3.1% - 19.9%. Given the burden of this problem, it is important to recognise symptoms early and seek timely medical help.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Sanjay Garg Consultant – Urology, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad explained about urinary tract dysfunction.

What Is Urinary Tract Dysfunction?

Urinary Tract Dysfunction, also called Neurogenic Bladder is when an individual loses control over their bladder due to brain, spinal cord or nerve problems. An injury or disorder can impact the link between your nervous system and bladder function. Electrical signals from damaged nerves are unable to reach the muscles responsible for controlling the bladder and as a result fail to tighten or relax at the right time. A lot of people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours, stroke and spinal cord injuries suffer from urinary tract dysfunction. Its symptoms include:

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Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Dysfunction

Repetitive Urinary Tract Infections

If someone has UTIs often, it might indicate bladder dysfunction. UTIs do not originate inside the bladder but are caused by bacteria or even viruses and yeast, growing in the urinary tract. Frequent UTIs often result from incomplete emptying of the bladder.

Urine Leakage

Urinary leakage is when there is an involuntary leak of urine. This might be noticeable as small drops of urine while engaging in activity that requires stronger contractions of the bladder. People may also pass urine suddenly while sleeping.

Urgency And Frequent Urination

People may feel uncontrollable urges to urinate, and urine may leak often. Many people with an overactive bladder urinate more than 8 times during the day and even lose sleep due to urges during the night.

ALSO READ: 7 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Help You Manage Urinary Incontinence Naturally: Know From Doctor

Urine Dropping And Incomplete Emptying Of The Bladder

People might face difficulty emptying their bladder completely or may not be able to urinate at all. This is commonly seen in people who have diabetes, as the bladder muscle is not able to squeeze when it needs to.

Exploring Treatment Options

Urinary tract dysfunction is usually detected through imaging tests or urine cultures and bladder scans. Catheters are a common form of treatment for this condition, where a small tube is inserted into your urethra in order to help the bladder empty completely. Limiting the intake of spicy foods, coffee, tea and aerated drinks along with some pelvic floor exercises can also be helpful.