Pollakiuria

A Pollakiuria is often caused by a urinary tract infection or an enlargement of the prostate gland in men and can be very life-limiting for those affected. Especially when night sleep is disturbed by the frequent urge to urinate, this can subsequently affect other organ systems and thus impair their function.

What is pollakiuria?

In pollakiuria there is a frequent urge to urinate. The urine is also passed in only small amounts.
© FUMIPOKKUR - stock.adobe.com

The Pollakiuria is a disorder of the bladder function, which is characterized by frequent passing of small amounts of urine. In general, the total amount of urine excreted is not increased and amounts to about 75% of the fluid absorbed. Pollakiuria is therefore not an independent disease, but occurs as a symptom as a result of various diseases of the urinary tract.

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Pollakiuria often occurs together with nocturia, a symptom that describes the repeated urination during the night. The patient wakes up several times because of the nocturnal urge to urinate and has to go to the toilet. The disorder of staying asleep can lead to a lack of sleep and thus trigger many other problems.

causes

Is the Pollakiuria caused by an increased fluid intake, a polydipsia, and the associated increased urine production, a so-called polyuria, it must be clarified what is causing the increased fluid intake. Reasons can for example be diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, a disease in which the body lacks the hormone ADH produced in the hypothalamus.

On the other hand, if the total amount of urine is normal, pollakiuria is often caused by an infection of the urinary tract. A bladder infection (cystitis) can be the cause as well as an inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Often times, these infections are caused by bacteria from the anal region that enter the urinary tract. Since the urinary tract of women is shorter than the urinary tract of men, the female urinary tract is also affected by infections far more frequently than the male.

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In men, pollakiuria is often caused by an enlargement of the prostate, which constricts the urinary bladder due to the increased mass and thus reduces its capacity and leads to increased drainage resistance. Inflammation of the prostate can also cause the prostate gland to swell, making it difficult to urinate.

Pollakiuria often occurs during pregnancy as the growth of the uterus puts pressure on the bladder. Furthermore, cancer of the prostate or the urinary bladder can also be the cause of pollakiuria. The possibility of a psycho-vegetative disorder, which can be caused by stress, for example, should also not go unmentioned.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

In pollakiuria there is a frequent urge to urinate. The urine is also passed in only small amounts. In addition, the disease is occasionally characterized by pain when urinating (alguria) or an urge to urinate at night (nocturia). A typical symptom is the amount of urine: the urine stream is usually weakened or is even dropped in drops, so that there is a higher frequency but a smaller amount of urine.

In the meantime, urination problems or delayed urination may occur. This often creates a constant need to urinate, which can be associated with cramp-like pain in the pubic area. Occasionally, those affected notice that there is blood in the urine (hematuria). In some cases, pollakiuria also leads to disturbances in the general condition.

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In addition to fever and exhaustion, this also includes abdominal pain, pain on the flanks or bladder pain, which are similar to the symptoms of a cystitis. The typical symptoms of pollakiuria can trigger further symptoms.

These include pain and burning sensation in the urethra, a disturbed night's sleep and unrefreshing sleep, combined with daytime sleepiness. The symptoms also affect the psyche and behavior of many of those affected. There is nervousness and the inability to leave the house, as a toilet must always be within reach.

Diagnosis & course

Schematic representation of the anatomy and structure of the urinary bladder. Click to enlarge.

To clarify the causes for a Pollakiuria a thorough medical history of the patient is required. All previous illnesses, as well as existing ones, must be viewed in context in order to track down the cause of pollakiuria. Of particular interest is whether there is pain when urinating, whether the urine stream has lost intensity or whether there is blood in the urine. General symptoms, such as physical weakness, fever, or fatigue, may indicate a urinary tract infection.

After a thorough anamnesis, a urine sample is usually requested and a blood count is performed. Then an ultrasound examination of the bladder is often indicated. Furthermore, a cystoscopy can be performed if the attending physician considers this to be necessary.

Complications

Pollakiuria is often only a symptom of an underlying disease and usually does not lead to a complication on its own. Complications in this context usually develop in the context of the corresponding underlying disease. Pollakiuria can be an indicator of urinary tract infections. Furthermore, a prostate or bladder cancer can be behind it.

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In the case of an existing pollakiuria, a doctor should always be consulted in order to diagnose the possibly underlying disease. Otherwise the symptoms and the underlying disease threaten to worsen. But even with stress-related pollakiuria, the stress often causes other health problems and other complications in parallel to the actual voiding disorder of the bladder.

The frequent urge to urinate is particularly disturbing at night and it comes to a considerable impairment of the night's sleep. He suffers from lack of sleep, which in turn can possibly be the cause of various diseases. The frequent nocturnal urge to urinate is initially a significant stress factor.

If the pollakiuria is also caused by stress, it develops into a chronic condition within the framework of a vicious circle. The constant lack of sleep worsens physical and mental performance, as stress and lack of sleep always have a negative effect on general health. In addition to mental illnesses, organic damage often occurs over the long term.

When should you go to the doctor?

Persistent urge to urinate, which occurs within a short time after a successful use of the toilet, should be presented to a doctor. If you have multiple urges to urinate while you are asleep, a doctor should be consulted. A doctor is required in the case of sleep disorders, internal weakness, irritability, and disorders of concentration and attention. An increased body temperature, inner restlessness and an increased need for fluids should be checked and clarified. Pain in the abdomen or when moving around, fever and recurring tiredness are signs of a health problem.

A doctor's visit is necessary as soon as the symptoms persist for several days or weeks or show an increasing trend. If rest and recovery phases cannot be observed due to the urge to urinate, if a burning sensation is perceived in the urethra or if the symptoms lead to irregularities in coping with everyday life, the person concerned needs help.

Changes in behavior, psychological stress, daytime sleepiness and a decrease in wellbeing should be discussed with a doctor. If leisure activities or professional activities can no longer be carried out as usual and in accordance with the requirements, a doctor should be consulted. Wetting or suddenly awakening at night trigger a stressful experience that can lead to serious complications. The support of a doctor should therefore be sought in good time.

Treatment & Therapy

Treating a Pollakiuria has to be considered differentiated and depends on the cause. If there is no diagnostic evidence of an organic cause, psychosomatic treatment is advisable. Often the patient is asked to keep a diary about going to the toilet. Under certain circumstances, bladder training can help the sufferer to get the pollakiuria under control. If it turns out that the pollakiuria is stress-related, learning simple relaxation techniques can also relieve the symptoms.

If an infection of the urinary tract is the cause of pollakiuria, an antibiotic is usually administered. In this case, it is important to ensure that you drink a sufficiently large amount until the symptoms improve again. A hot water bottle can often be helpful and bring relief.

If the cause of pollakiuria is cancer of the urinary bladder or the prostate, it depends on many factors whether the tumor should be surgically removed or whether chemotherapy alone is sufficient. In conclusion, this can only be assessed by the treating oncologist. In the case of benign prostate enlargement, which is associated with hormonal changes, various drugs are now available to shrink the organ again, which in turn leads to a decrease in symptoms.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for bladder and urinary tract health

prevention

To one Pollakiuria To prevent this, men over 40 years of age are advised to have regular preventive examinations of the prostate, since the enlargement of the organ is the most common cause of pollakiuria in men. Women should make an appointment with their urologist or gynecologist at the slightest sign of urinary tract inflammation to stop the possible infection from spreading as soon as possible.

Aftercare

In most cases, those affected have only a few and only limited follow-up measures available for pollakiuria. With this disease, a quick diagnosis and subsequent treatment is very important in order to prevent further complications. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the further course will usually be.

Therefore, the patient should consult a doctor at the first signs and symptoms of the disease. In the worst case, damage to the internal organs occurs, which can lead to death. Those affected should drink particularly large amounts of fluids with pollakiuria.

In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and sporting activities also have a positive effect on the further course of the disease. When taking medication, the correct dosage and regular intake of the medication should always be observed.

If antibiotics are taken, they should not be taken with alcohol. In some cases, pollakiuria is treated with chemotherapy. It is not uncommon for those affected to rely on the care and support of their own family, which can primarily alleviate depression.

You can do that yourself

If you often excrete little urine, you should first consult a doctor. Usually the symptoms are caused by a mild cystitis or some other harmless cause, but there can also be a serious illness such as prostate cancer.

If there is no organic cause, the bladder can be trained with pelvic floor exercises. Those affected can try to consciously suppress the urge to urinate and thus get the bladder used to a larger volume. Drinking less is not recommended, because the body needs at least two to three liters of water a day to stay healthy. It makes more sense to always warm the genital area well. This can be achieved, for example, by not sitting on cold surfaces and wearing suitable underwear.

In the case of chronic complaints, the measures should first be discussed with the urologist or gynecologist. If the frequent urge to urinate severely restricts the quality of life, pollakiuria should be treated with medication. Natural remedies can be used to accompany this. Pumpkin seeds, for example, specifically alleviate the symptoms and thereby improve well-being. If you lead a healthy and active lifestyle at the same time, the symptoms should subside quickly.