Frequent urination may be caused by kidney disease or urinary tract infections, but can also be caused by an enlarged prostate or medication side effects. The kidneys filter and clean blood, regulate fluid balance and electrolyte levels, and produce urine. Kidney disease and urinary tract infections can cause frequent urination, while an enlarged prostate or medication side effects may also be the cause.
Frequent urination and kidney problems are closely linked, as the kidneys are the organs that produce urine. The symptom of frequent urination can be caused by problems such as kidney disease or urinary tract infections. It may also be that frequent urination has little to do with the kidneys, being caused by, for example, an enlarged prostate or the side effects of some medications.
The kidneys are two oval-shaped organs, usually 4-5 inches long and located in the back of the abdomen. All blood in the human body passes through the kidneys several times a day, and this is where the blood is filtered and cleaned. The kidneys also control the body’s fluid balance and regulate electrolyte levels. As the kidneys filter blood and regulate fluids, urine is formed and moves from tubes called ureters into the bladder where it is expelled from the body. Since the kidneys produce urine, frequent urination and the kidneys may be connected.
Individuals who experience frequent urination suffer from the need to urinate more often than usual. This can occur during the day or night, or in some cases only at night. Usually, the total amount of urine passed is equal to or less than typical rather than more.
One connection between frequent urination and the kidneys is kidney disease. Those suffering from kidney disease may also experience frequent urination. Kidney disease can be caused by long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, or it can also be congenital, meaning you can be born with a kidney abnormality. Symptoms of kidney disease include frequent urination and difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and swelling of the extremities. A doctor will perform further tests to confirm kidney disease.
Another connection between frequent urination and the kidneys is a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections that affect the lower urinary tract are known as cystitis. In the upper urinary tract, they are known as pyeionephritis.
The upper urinary tract includes the kidneys, which is why this type of infection is sometimes called a kidney infection. Usually the infection starts in the bladder as a lower urinary tract infection and, if left untreated, moves to the kidneys, creating an upper urinary tract infection. In a lower urinary tract infection, symptoms generally include frequent urination, pain when urinating, and low-grade fever. If the infection moves to the kidneys, symptoms may include chills, fatigue, and nausea with a high fever.
There are also some conditions where there is no direct connection between frequent urination and the kidneys. In men, an enlarged prostate can press against the urethra, irritating the bladder and causing frequent urination. Some medications, such as diuretics, encourage the body to expel fluids. Some frequent urination is caused by bladder contractions.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
