Got to Go!

Are you constantly running to the bathroom to empty your bladder more than 5-7 times a day? As they age, many women feel this is a normal part of the aging process. Some women are embarrassed to talk to their doctors about frequent urination and/or incontinence. However, there may be a medical reason for those frequent trips to the restroom and there is treatment that can help.

One reason for frequent trips to the restroom could be a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI occurs when bacteria enters into the urinary tract system through the urethra and then multiply in the bladder. The bacterial infection irritates the bladder and causes symptoms of urinary frequency. Other symptoms of a UTI include:

– pain or burning with urination
– cloudy or bloody urine
– foul odor to the urine
– fever
– lower back/ flank pain which may be due to the kidneys being infected
– cramping in the lower abdomen.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. The doctor will require a urine sample to check for bacteria which is treated with antibiotics and analgesic medication for pain. It is important to finish all of the antibiotics to ensure ALL bacteria have cleared even if you are feeling better after a couple of days and the urinary frequency has diminished.

Another cause of frequent trips to the bathroom could be overactive bladder. Overactive bladder can be described as a strong urge to urinate and may cause incontinence when that urge occurs. This is often times called “urge incontinence.” With overactive bladder, you may be going to the bathroom to urinate more than 8 times a day and awakening several times at night. Overactive bladder occurs when there are involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles which give you the urge to urinate even when your bladder is not full. Drinking caffeine and alcohol irritate the bladder. Decreasing or eliminating coffee, soda, and alcohol often helps with decreasing the frequency of urination.

When seeing a doctor for overactive bladder, the doctor will ask for a urine sample to rule out a bladder infection. Once a UTI has been ruled out, the doctor may perform other testing such as an urodynamic study. This helps to measure how well the bladder is storing and emptying urine. Based on the results, the doctor may prescribe medications that help with overactive bladder, or recommend bladder retraining, physical therapy for the pelvic floor treatment, Botox injections, or surgery.

If running to the bathroom is getting in the way of your daily routine, or if you find yourself searching for the nearest restroom every time you go out, there may be a medical reason. To learn more about our Women’s Health programs, click here or call (877) 56-REHAB today to schedule an appointment with a women’s health specialist.