There are various causes for children to urinate frequently (BAK). On the one hand, this condition is a sign that the child is not dehydrated. However, on the other hand, urinating too often can also indicate a child suffering from certain diseases.
Normally, children aged 5 years or older urinate 4–7 times a day, depending on how much they drink. A child can be said to urinate frequently if only during the day he has urinated 8 or more times.
Causes of Children Frequently Urinating
It has been mentioned earlier that a child who urinates too often can be a sign of a health problem that he is suffering from. The following are some conditions that can cause a child to urinate frequently:
1. Polyuria
Polyuria is one of the most common causes of frequent urination in children. The symptom is the child feels the urge to urinate during the day more often than usual. However, urine does not really come out or only comes out in small amounts.
Children who suffer from polyuria can urinate as much as 30-40 times each day. This condition most often occurs in children aged 3-5 years, but can also occur in adolescents.
The cause of polyuria is not known for certain, but this condition can occur because the child feels stressed or anxious.
2. Urinary tract infection
In addition to frequent urination, children with urinary tract infections (UTI) also generally experience other symptoms, such as pain when urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, fever, and abdominal pain.
UTIs are caused by bacteria that cause infection or inflammation in the bladder wall.
3. Incomplete urination
When the child is engaged in activities, such as playing or studying, the child may rush to the toilet so that urination is not complete. This makes the urge to urinate continue because the bladder is not completely emptied.
4. Inflammation of the intimate organs
The next cause of frequent urination is inflammation of the genital area or intimate organs. In girls, inflammation can occur around the vagina and this condition is called vulvovaginitis.
Meanwhile, in boys, inflammation can occur in the foreskin or the head of the penis. This condition is known as balanitis.
The inflammation can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, an allergic reaction, or using the wrong soap.
5. Urinary disorders
Urination disorders or urinary dysfunction are divided into two types. The first is neurogenic micturition dysfunction, which is a disorder of the nervous system in the brain or spinal cord that affects bladder control.
The second is non-neurogenic micturition dysfunction, which is a disorder caused by weak bladder muscles, blockage of urine flow, or incomplete urination habits.
In addition to being the cause of children urinating more often, this condition also makes children often feel that their urination is incomplete. The flow of urine when urinating also looks slow.
6. Diabetes mellitus
Children who suffer from diabetes mellitus generally urinate more often and the amount of urine excreted is also large. In addition, children are also easily thirsty, so the desire to drink more water arises.
7. Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a common cause of children urinating infrequently. Children who suffer from this condition generally experience antidiuretic hormone (ADH) disorders, so that the absorption of water by the kidneys is disrupted.
As a result, the body will more easily lose fluids, causing frequent urination and extreme thirst.
How to Overcome Children Frequent Urination
Treatment for frequent urination depends on the cause. To help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis, you can take a history of your child's urination and defecation habits.
The doctor will also perform a physical examination and laboratory tests, such as urine analysis and blood tests, if necessary.
If the results of the examination have shown the cause of the child's frequent urination, there are several treatments that can be done, including:
Schedule to toilet
As an initial treatment, you can schedule your little one to go to the toilet every 2 hours, even though he doesn't feel like urinating yet.
With this method, the child will gradually learn to recognize the body's signals to urinate so that bladder emptying is maximized. In addition, the lag time to urinate becomes more regular.
Double voiding
Other treatment options are double voiding. This method is done by training the child to urinate 2 or 3 times each time to the toilet to make sure the bladder is completely empty.
Training biofeedback
This method is done with the help of a therapist, to train the child to focus on the bladder muscles and relax them when urinating.
Administration of drugs
If the cause of the child's frequent urination is related to an infection or disease, the doctor will prescribe medication according to the condition suffered. For example, antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections and alpha blockers for nonneurogenic voiding dysfunction.
Children are also advised to avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and soda, because they can increase urine production.
Frequent urination or even bed-wetting may be troublesome. Blaming or punishing is not the best solution. Your little one may be stressed or anxious about certain things, so they need your support.
In addition, always accompany your little one to the toilet to ensure that he completely empties his bladder.
If you find signs that your little one is urinating too often, you should take him to the doctor for an examination. That way, the cause of the child's frequent urination can be identified and given appropriate treatment.
