We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Connection Between Frequent Urination and the Kidneys?

By B. Koch
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 12,742
Share

Frequent urination and problems with the kidneys are closely connected, as the kidneys are the organs that produce urine. The symptom of frequent urination may be caused by problems such as kidney disease or a urinary tract infection. It also may be the case that frequent urination has little to do with the kidneys, being caused, for instance, by an enlarged prostate or due to side effects of certain medications.

The kidneys are two oval-shaped organs, usually 4-5 inches long, and located at the back of the abdomen. All the blood in the human body passes through the kidneys several times daily, and it is here that 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 which moves from tubes called the 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 experiencing frequent urination suffer from the need to urinate more often than usual. This may occur during the day or night, or in some cases, only at night. Usually, the overall amount of urine expelled is the same or less than is typical rather than more.

One connection between frequent urination and the kidneys is kidney disease. Those experiencing kidney disease may also experience frequent urination. Kidney disease may be caused by long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, or it can also be congenital, meaning that one 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 which 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 begins in the bladder as a lower urinary tract infection and, left untreated, moves into the kidneys, creating an upper urinary tract infection. In a lower urinary tract infection, symptoms generally include frequent urination, pain while urinating, and a low fever. If the infection moves to the kidneys, symptoms may include chills, fatigue, and nausea with a high fever.

There are also some conditions in which there is not a 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. Certain medications, such as diuretics, encourage the body to expel fluids. Some frequent urination is caused by bladder contractions.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By ZipLine — On Feb 07, 2014

If frequent urination is accompanied by back pain, these could be kidney disease symptoms. It could be a smaller issue like kidney sand or kidney stones, or it could be more serious like a kidney infection. It's best to have it checked out as soon as possible. A urine test is fast and will show whether the kidneys are causing these symptoms or not.

I experienced frequent urination and back pain once. My doctor suspected my kidneys but my urine test showed that everything was fine on that end. The two symptoms turned out to be unrelated. So it's not a good idea to jump to conclusions before medical tests are done.

By bluedolphin — On Feb 06, 2014

@burcinc-- Well sort of, but the frequent urination cause in diabetics is not a kidney disease.

Kidneys help metabolize sugar. When someone has diabetes, there is too much sugar in the bloodstream and the kidneys are not able to keep up with it. Kidneys store excess sugar in the bladder, which is excreted from the body with urine. This is why diabetics urinate frequently and drink a lot of water.

But the solution doesn't have anything to do with the kidneys. Diabetes must be treated with insulin or anti-diabetic medications.

By burcinc — On Feb 06, 2014

Do frequent urination symptoms due to diabetes have anything to do with the kidneys?

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-the-connection-between-frequent-urination-and-the-kidneys.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.