Too-frequent urination isn’t just an inconvenience. It could be a sign that you have Type 2 diabetes. Urination that gets you up and heading for relief several times a night can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns, drastically affecting your energy levels and quality of life - but it could be a symptom of a manageable or treatable condition.

In this article, we’ll focus on Type 2 diabetes and frequent urination, but we’ll also touch on other possible reasons for polyuria. While it’s good to have an understanding of what could be happening to you, don’t just leave it at that. Do consult a doctor for an expert opinion that’s based on your individual health circumstances.

Causes of Polyuria

When people have Type 2 diabetes, frequent urination is often the reason why they reach out for help. In this instance, it’s a sure sign that your body is in trouble. With blood sugar levels rising to a point where they can damage your body, your kidneys fight to get rid of the excess. This, in turn, can overstrain your kidneys.

There’s also a less common form of diabetes that could cause frequent urination, but polyuria doesn’t necessarily mean that you have diabetes.

There are many lifestyle reasons for frequent urination:

  • You’re pregnant
  • You consume too much caffeine
  • You are living with anxiety
  • Your alcohol use is encouraging frequent urination (for example, beer has diuretic effects)
  • You drink more water than normal

Here are some of the possible medical reasons why it may occur:

  • You have a urinary tract infection (very common)
  • You have prostate issues (this often applies to older men and can often be resolved)
  • You have vaginitis (swelling of the vagina)
  • You have a neurological issue
  • You have a spinal issue
  • You are experiencing overactive bladder syndrome
  • There is some form of cancer or tumour affecting your urinary system (relatively rare)
  • You have been undergoing radiation therapy directed at the pelvic area

How Frequent is Too Frequent?

You might be wondering whether your frequency of urination really is abnormal, so let’s look at what’s generally considered normal.

Most people need to urinate seven or eight times a day and it's fairly normal to wake once or twice in the night to urinate - especially if you drink fluids before bedtime or are experiencing age-related changes to the urinary system.

If, on the other hand, it seems like you need to urinate much more than that, 10 or more times a day, it would be wise to discuss the issue with your doctor.  

The amount of urine produced is also significant. For example, if you have a urinary tract infection or prostate problem, you will need to urinate frequently, but the output will be low. Frequent production of a normal volume of urine, on the other hand, could point to Type 2 diabetes.

Remember, frequent or excessive urination will make you more thirsty. So, although drinking a lot of water can cause you to urinate more frequently, it could be the urination that is triggering your thirst. Get to the bottom of the problem. You’ll be glad you did.

Why Does Diabetes Cause Polyuria?

In undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes, a shortage of insulin, a lack of insulin sensitivity, or both, causes blood glucose levels to rise beyond healthy levels. A complex interaction between your kidneys and the way they filter what’s in your bloodstream follows.

We can simplify this by saying that the kidneys “try” to get rid of the excess sugar by excreting it in your urine. Because you’re losing fluids, you become thirsty, so you enter a cycle in which you feel thirsty more often, drink more, and urinate more.

Remember, diabetes itself doesn’t cause polyuria. It only occurs when there’s too much glucose in the blood. If you’ve already been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, urinating frequently is a sign that you should check your blood sugar and ketones. If your blood sugar level is very high and you have moderate to high ketones, get medical advice quickly.

Other Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

If you’re wondering whether your polyuria is a symptom of Type 2 diabetes, you can help your doctor by reporting any other symptoms you might have noticed. In the event of diabetes Type 2, these might include:

What to Do if You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Nobody enjoys receiving a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, but without it, your diabetes will be unmanaged, wreaking havoc on your overall health and potentially taking years off your life. Once you have a diagnosis, you can manage your condition - and the sooner you begin, the better it will be for you.

Your doctor will give you lifestyle advice and may prescribe medications. It’s advice that can help you to live a relatively normal life with longevity not being severely affected. Your diagnosis is certainly a serious matter, but it’s a call to action rather than a hopeless situation.

Although a diabetes diagnosis is by no means a death sentence, it’s normal to become more aware of your own mortality and to think about how your family would cope if you weren’t there for them any longer. It’s a time when many people who haven’t yet signed up for life insurance decide that it's time to make provisions for their families’ financial future.

Unfortunately, it’s much harder to get life insurance once you have a pre-existing condition, and trying to hide it from insurance companies just means they’re entitled to refuse a payout. Is it possible to get reasonably-priced life cover with Type 2 diabetes without enduring countless doctors’ visits and long waits? We’re happy to say that it is.

Blueberry Life: Life Insurance for People Living With Chronic Conditions

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Reviewed by Dr. Kingshuk Pal