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Why Do You Pee So Much When You Have Diabetes

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You Might Have Interstitial Cystitis

Frequent Urination | Why Do I Have To Pee So Much?

Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition that can cause frequent urination, as well as bladder pressure and pain, says Dr. Bortecen. While a UTI might be caused by an infection and can easily be treated with antibiotics, interstitial cystitis is a longer-term condition that is not as easily treatable.

People with this condition feel urgency and tend to urinate more often, with smaller volumes of urine than most people, says Dr. Bortecen. The condition comes from an immune reaction to the bladder from an irritating substance in the urine that damages the bladder, causing the sensation of urgency, as well as bladder spasms.”

Unfortunately, diagnosing IC can be tricky, as its often undetected or misdiagnosed as something else. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition are very similar to overactive bladder, he says. Because IC is thought to be an autoimmune condition, certain immunosuppressive medications, such as Cyclosporine, have been successfully used to treat it.

Why Are You Peeing Too Much

If you ever ask yourself why am I peeing so much you may have problems with frequent urination, which is the urge to pee at any time, day or night. Your bladder will usually feel full and you may feel a strong urge to pee, which can cause you to lose control of your bladder. Frequent urination is also called overactive bladder and many people suffer from this condition. The key to treating an overactive bladder is addressing the underlying cause.

Frequent Urination Could Be Related To Diabetes

When there is excess glucose present in the blood, as with type 2 diabetes, the kidneys are not able to handle all of it and have to flush some out of the blood and into the urine, Ovalle says. This results in more urine production and increased urinary frequency and urgency, called polyuria. Some people may notice they have to get up every couple of hours during the night to urinate and that they produce more urine when they do go.

The presence of excess glucose can also cause the urine to have a sweet smell. This is most common in advanced cases of type 2 diabetes, he says.

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Who Experiences Frequent Urination

The need to urinate is something that everyone feels. This shared experience isnt always consistent though. Sometimes you may need to urinate much more often than what is typical for you. This can happen to anyone. Men, women, and children can all have this symptom. However, its more common at certain times in your life or when you have other conditions. Youre more likely to frequently urinate if youre:

  • A middle-age or old adult.
  • Pregnant.

You Just Happen To Have A Petite Bladder

Why Does Diabetes Make You Urinate So Much?

So, fun fact: The average bladder can hold between 1.5 to 2 cups of fluid at a time, and small bladders hold less than that. If you have a smaller than usual bladder, it can make you feel like peeing all the time, Dr. Matsunaga says. While this is a real thing, its a less likely culprit behind frequent urination than other causes, he notes.

That said, if you think your bladder is interfering with your quality of life because its small, your doctor can do a test like a cystoscopy, which looks into your bladder with a camera. If you do indeed have a small bladder, they may be able to offer guidance on training your bladder so you can put off peeing for a bit even when you have to go.

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Diabetes: 12 Warning Signs That Appear On Your Skin

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, its often a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. This could mean that:

  • You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes

  • Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted

If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor.

Other Potential Causes Of Frequent Urination

There is no normal amount of times to pee on a daily basis. Frequent urination is usually defined as having to go more frequently than you normally do. If thats the case, it could be a sign that something is wrong.

Urinating more often than normal can result from a number of different factors. Diabetes is only one possible explanation. Some other conditions that can sometimes affect your bladder function include:

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Should I Be Worried If I Have These Conditions And Frequent Urination

If you ever have a symptom that is outside of whats normal for your body, reach out to your healthcare provider. In some cases, pregnancy, for example, frequent urination is completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, in some conditions, your caregiver may want to know if you are urinating much more than you typically do. Theres a very wide range of conditionswith varying levels of seriousnessthat could cause frequent urination. It is always safe to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider.

Is Peeing A Lot A Sign Of Anxiety

THIS IS WHY YOU PEE SO MUCH – 6 Causes and Solutions of Frequent Peeing

So when you feel anxious, your bodys fear response can be triggered, overwhelming your bladders mechanisms for retaining urine, causing you to want to urinate, Ashwini Nadkarni, an associate psychiatrist with Brigham and Womens Hospital and an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, told HuffPost.

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Common Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

  • American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes2009. Diabetes Care. 2009 32:S13-61.
  • Becker G. Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the newly Diagnosed. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Marlowe & Company 2007.
  • McCulloch D. Patient information: Diabetes type 2: Overview. UpToDate Web site. January 30, 2009. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~n0K0MIfI1iZs.& selectedTitle=5~150& source=search_result. Accessed April 20, 2009.
  • McCulloch D. Patient information: Diabetes mellitus type 2: Overview. UpToDate Web site. December 4, 2008. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~X0jjLnBn4._ko& selectedTitle=4~150& source=search_result. Accessed April 20, 2009.

Slow Healing Wounds And Increased Skin Infections

Lingering sugar in the blood wreaks havoc on veins and arteries disrupting circulation. Without proper blood flow, it takes longer for cuts and bruises to heal, and you are more prone to skin infections.

Red Flag: Paper cuts, bumps and bruises take more than a few days to go away, cuts scab over repeatedly or wounds that last weeks to months.

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Signs That Blood Sugar Levels Are High

People with high blood sugar may:

  • pee a lot. When blood sugar levels get too high, the kidneys flush out the extra glucose into your urine , which is why people who have high blood sugar levels need to pee more often and in larger amounts.
  • drink a lot. Because you’re losing so much fluid from peeing so much, you can get very thirsty.
  • lose weight. If there isn’t enough insulin to help the body use glucose, the body starts to break down your muscle and fat for energy and you lose weight.
  • feel tired. Because the body can’t use glucose for energy properly, you may feel really tired.

High blood sugar levels don’t always cause these symptoms. Sometimes you can have high blood sugar levels without even knowing it. But if left untreated, they can cause serious health problems. That’s why it’s important to work with your parents and diabetes team to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. This can mean checking your blood sugar levels a few times a day, even when you feel fine.

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When Should You See Your Doctor

What Your Poop And Pee Say About You

If you run though our check-list of foods and medications above, and you havent had anything to turn your pee a funky color, or if you have an odor, fever, nausea and vomiting, low flank, or pubic pain then its time to see your doctor or healthcare provider about your urine. Generally, if you dont know whats causing it, and its a change from your usual, then get your urine checked!

Your doctor can perform a variety of tests to determine whats going on with your urine. It may be that you need an antibiotic for an infection in the urinary tract, , or you could need an antispasmodic for your bladder if you have an overactive bladder.

If your urine indicates an illness of some kind, such as diabetes, then your doctor can test you for them. Kidneys are important organs that we cant live without, at least not without kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant. Having urine issues can be embarrassing but dont be afraid to contact your family doctor.

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Will Metformin Reduce Frequent Thirst And Urination Caused By Type 2 Diabetes

Thirst and urination are symptoms of high blood glucose, which has serious effects on your eyes, kidneys, pancreas and limbs. It is not a symptom of well-controlled diabetes. If you have those symptoms often, your diabetes is out of control and will deteriorate. I think it is important for either type of diabetes to get a glucose meter and learn how your blood glucose works. You want to keep that blood glucose within close to normal numbers at all times. If Metformin can do it, take Metformin. If not, take insulin or whatever your doctor recommends. But do not be passive about this. Become an expert on diabetes. Your organs and limbs depend on your understanding and your informed habits. Not your doctors. Yours. Read the whole internet until you are very good at diabetes, if you want your body to work for another 40 years. Start here: Blood Sugar 101Continue reading > >

What Health Problems Are Associated With Diabetes Insipidus

Most people urinate one to two liters of urine a day, but a person with diabetes insipidus might urinate three liters or more. Patients often wake up in the middle of the night to urinate. Because they are losing a lot of water in the urine, these patients are at risk for dehydration.

Patients who have diabetes insipidus have increased thirst and tend to drink a great deal of water. If the patient has no access to drinking water, he or she cannot make up for the loss of water, and the chemicals in the body get concentrated. The person may have increased levels of sodium in the blood , which cause confusion and other changes in mental status.

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Just Cant Wait Toilet Card And Radar Key

Feeling anxious about being out and about when you have a bladder and bowel condition can make your symptoms worse. Having a Just Cant Wait toilet card can help you feel more reassured and confident that you can access public facilities. You can get a free Just Cant Wait toilet card or order a plastic Just Cant Wait Card via post for a small charge.

It may also help for you to have a RADAR key, which means you will be able to visit public accessible/disabled facilities. You do not need to have a visible disability or be in a wheelchair to use this key. If you have a medical condition which requires you to use accessible facilities then you are eligible to do so, and can purchase a key here from www.radarkey.org. RADAR keys are available to purchase, and may be available on a discretionary basis for customers of our Bladder & Bowel Home Delivery Service.

Youre Accidentally Loading Up On Diuretics

WHY DO I URINATE FREQUENTLY? – 8 Reasons Why You’re Peeing Too Much Kidneys, Diabetes, Infection

Drinks like coffee, soda, and tea can act as diuretics, meaning they may boost your peeing frequency. Diuretics work by increasing the amount of salt and water that comes out of your kidneys, making you pee more in the process. Though beverages like coffee and tea can raise your overall water consumption , lowering your intake might help you pee less frequently.

Certain medications can also act as diuretics. Some meds to treat high blood pressure contain diuretics, and some birth control pills like Yaz have drospirenone, a kind of progestin related to the diuretic spironolactone.

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When To See A Dermatologist

Diabetes can cause many other skin problems. Most skin problems are harmless, but even a minor one can become serious in people who have diabetes. A board-certified dermatologist can recognize skin problems due to diabetes and help you manage them.

Are all dermatologists board certified?

No. See what it takes to become board certified.

ImagesImage 1: Image Courtesy of Clark C. Otley, MD. All Rights Reserved

Images 3, 7, 8, 9: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image 2 from DermNetNZ

Some images used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

ReferencesCohen Sabban, EN. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus from A to Z. Focus session presented at: 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology March 4-8, 2016 Washington D.C.

Duff M, Demidova O, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Clinical Diabetes. 2015 33:40-8.

Kalus AA, Chien AJ, et al. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:1461-70.

McKinley-Grant L, Warnick M, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. In: Kelly AP and Taylor S. Dermatology for Skin of Color. . The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. China, 2009:481-4.

Morgan AJ and Schwartz RA. Diabetic dermopathy: A subtle sign with grave implications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 58:447-51.

What Are The Types Of Diabetes Insipidus

There are four types of diabetes insipidus:

  • Central diabetes insipidus, the most common form, happens when the brain doesnt release enough ADH. This can be caused by damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, a section of the brain near the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces ADH and other hormones and controls their release. There are many possible causes of this damage, including an inherited defect in a gene, surgery or injury involving the head, tumors, and infections.
  • Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus happens when there is enough ADH, but the kidneys dont respond to it properly and cant retain the water. This can be caused by a reaction to a medication, often lithium. It can also be caused by a defect in the genes, a high level of calcium in the blood , or kidney disease.
  • Dipsogenic diabetes insipidus is not related to ADH, and is caused by drinking too much fluid. It occurs when the mechanism that makes a person feel thirsty is damaged, so the person feels thirsty even when fluid isnt needed. It can be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or by mental illness.
  • Gestational diabetes insipidus affects pregnant women. It is caused by enzymes made by the placenta, a temporary organ that provides nourishment to the fetus. Sometimes these enzymes interfere with the kidneys ability to process ADH. Gestational diabetes insipidus usually goes away shortly after the pregnancy is over.

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How Is Diabetes Insipidus Treated

In some cases, diabetes insipidus cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medications.

Desmopressin, a medication that works like ADH, is often used to treat central diabetes insipidus. Desmopressin can be given as an injection , in a pill, or in a nasal spray. It is also sometimes used to treat gestational diabetes insipidus.

Treatment for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is more complicated and sometimes involves a combination of approaches. If the condition is caused by medication, sometimes its treated by changing the medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs, water pills, and pain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also help. It might take a while to find the right combination for a patient.

Treatments for dipsogenic diabetes insipidus have been less effective. If it is caused by an underlying condition such as mental illness, treatment might be directed at that cause. Some of the same treatments used for other types of diabetes insipidus might also be used.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/18/2017.

References

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What Is The Home Remedy For Frequent Urination

I have to pee so bad! Can

Perform the following steps to train your bladder:

  • Keep a journal to determine how frequently you go to the bathroom.
  • Delay urination with small intervals. Once you feel the need to pee, see if you can hold off for five minutes and work your way up.
  • Schedule trips to the bathroom.
  • Perform Kegel exercises regularly.

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What Should I Do If I Think Im Experiencing Type 1 Diabetes

If you find you are suddenly urinating more frequentlyespecially if its accompanied by other symptomsits important to see your doctor. As we mentioned above the dehydration that results from polyuria, or excessive urination, can lead to kidney problemsor even diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening.

You Have Prostate Problems

An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra and block the flow of urine, which can cause the bladder wall to become irritable, says Dr. Nandi. The bladder can begin to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, and that can lead to more frequent urination, he explains.

If men suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia, there is a need to urinate more frequently, especially at night. This condition is called nocturia, and it is defined as having to urinate eight or more times a night, he explains. Plus, when the prostate is enlarged, it puts added pressure on the urethra and bladder, which causes an inability to hold urine, but also difficulty with peeing at ease, he explains. Learn more about your prostate health.

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