Experiencing Uncontrolled Urination
This is quite an awkward situation for me to share. I’m an 18-year-old female, standing at 5’6” and weighing 140 pounds. I’ve recently begun my journey at college in a dorm setting. (This part is just an aside.) The main reason I’m reaching out is that for the past two weeks, I’ve been facing an unfortunate problem: I've been experiencing episodes of involuntary urination. Every night, around midnight, I find myself waking up with the urgent need to relieve myself, yet I feel completely unable to manage it. This is completely new to me, as I’ve never dealt with this type of issue before. The initial incident caught me off guard. I was rushing to the restroom with an overwhelming urge, but I unfortunately missed the toilet and ended up having an accident on the floor. I cleaned the mess up promptly. Just three days ago, the situation repeated itself. I woke up at midnight once more, desperate to go. However, all the bathrooms were occupied by my dorm mates, so I was left in a difficult position. I attempted to hold it in, but ultimately I couldn’t contain myself any longer and ended up urinating on the carpet. Of course, I cleaned that up as well. And just today, I found myself seated and unintentionally released a small amount of urine. This is really concerning for me since I’ve never encountered this kind of problem before, and I’m anxious it might start happening more often. I don’t have a history of bladder issues, so I’m unsure how to proceed. I would really appreciate any advice or assistance on this matter.
Answers (1)
8/28/2025, 1:14:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel anxious about experiencing uncontrolled urination, especially since this is a new issue for you. It can be concerning, but there are several potential explanations, and many are manageable. Let's break down the situation.
Main Points:
- Possible Causes: Uncontrolled urination can result from various factors such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), anxiety, bladder overactivity, or even lifestyle habits.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Keep track of when these episodes occur, including any triggers or patterns, to provide more information if needed later.
- Immediate Actions: Focus on hydration management and routine bathroom schedules, especially before bedtime.
Explanation:
Involuntary urination can happen for many reasons. Since you've mentioned this started recently and coincided with starting college, stress or changes in routine could play a role. Conditions like UTIs can also lead to urgency and unexpected leaks. Additionally, the crowded dorm situation may add to anxiety, making it harder to relax, which can affect your bladder control.
Next Steps:
-
Track Symptoms: Keep a diary noting when you experience these episodes, what you were doing beforehand, and any dietary habits (like caffeine or alcohol intake) that might influence urination. This will help you identify patterns or triggers.
-
Scheduled Bathroom Visits: Try to establish a regular bathroom schedule. Go to the restroom every hour or two, even if you don’t feel the urge, to help train your bladder.
-
Hydration Management: Ensure you're drinking enough water during the day but try to reduce fluid intake in the evening before bedtime to help minimize nighttime urgency.
-
Stress Reduction Techniques: Incorporate stress-reducing practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, or gentle exercise into your routine, especially if you feel anxious about your living situation.
-
Consume Healthy Diet: Pay attention to diet by avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and spicy foods, which might worsen urgency.
If these methods don't improve your situation or if the episodes become more frequent or severe, it would be beneficial to seek professional advice. There's no need to feel embarrassed about this issue; urinary concerns are common, and healthcare providers are equipped to support you.
Related Questions
Struggling with Chronic Heat Sensitivity
Despite consulting numerous healthcare professionals, I find myself in a frustrating position where no one seems to understand my condition or its implications. I’m reaching out in hopes that someone might have insights or solutions. I am a 30-year-old woman grappling with both mental health issues and chronic pain. While I’m working on managing my weight, I haven't encountered any serious health issues that could account for my current struggles. Notably, these problems have persisted regardless of my body weight fluctuations. Initially, my episodes of heat exhaustion occurred under typical scenarios: hot weather, hiking, or spending time outdoors without sufficient hydration would lead to headaches and nausea. In those early instances, a little water, electrolytes, or applying ice to my wrists would usually suffice. Such occurrences were sporadic, happening only every couple of years. However, the situation has deteriorated over time. I now experience these episodes in much milder temperatures and even short exposure sends my body into turmoil, escalating the intensity of my symptoms. Consequently, I have had to halt my hiking adventures, avoid family trips, and generally confine myself indoors during the warmer months, especially when temperatures exceed 25°C (77°F). I now rely on a water bottle to maintain hydration at all times; failing to do so results in debilitating headaches and nausea—even during winter months. I consume more fluids, including electrolyte beverages, than anyone I know yet find myself hardly needing to urinate. My doctor humorously suggests I must be storing water like a camel, but I don't experience any issues like swelling or excessive sweating, leaving me perplexed about where all this hydration is going. My lowest recorded trigger point for symptoms was 23°C (73°F) during a visit to the zoo. After strolling around for hours with a friend, I ended up needing him to drive me home due to an unbearable headache and extreme nausea, even though I remained conscious. The most severe incident occurred recently at the Calgary Stampede, an outdoor event known for its food vendors. The temperature was a manageable 26°C (79°F) when I attended. After roughly four hours—three of which were spent indoors—I became ill despite having consumed nearly three full metal water bottles. The paramedics had to transport me in a wheelchair and administer an IV, warning me about the potential life-threatening nature of my condition. Now, even seated comfortably in my air-conditioned home, I am wrestling with a headache and nausea that sets in just from existing, light studying, or being inactive. Sadly, my healthcare team remains stumped. A recent visit to an internal medicine specialist yielded no solutions; they merely recommended increasing my salt intake, though I already rely heavily on electrolyte beverages for some relief. Reviewing my medications hasn't illuminated any issues either. The collective symptoms and suggested treatments align closely with heat exhaustion—a situation now bordering on heat stroke. However, I am confounded as to why these symptoms surface at room temperature and so frequently. This is not a sustainable way to live. I hope someone reading this may offer guidance or suggestions as my doctor can't even point me toward a specialist who might provide support.
Experiencing Chest Discomfort
For the past week, I have been feeling a mild discomfort in my chest. This sensation intensifies during the nighttime hours. I can’t pinpoint a specific area where the pain originates; it generally seems centered in the chest, slightly to the left, and sometimes extends to my left shoulder, radiating towards my upper chest, arms, neck, and occasionally my back. However, these uncomfortable feelings are transient. I can breathe without significant difficulty, although it feels like I have to concentrate on it more than usual. It seems slightly easier to exhale than to take in a full breath. While at work, I’ve also felt a peculiar sensation in my head; it’s not dizziness or lightheadedness per se, but I definitely feel a bit off, accompanied by some fatigue, which isn’t entirely unusual for me. Despite this general unease, my heart rate has remained consistently stable, which is peculiar since my previous panic attacks came with an elevated pulse. I did experience some tingling in my hands and head one night, but my heart wasn’t racing like before. This whole episode began about a week ago when I was up late overthinking and suddenly felt my heart race a few times. That was enough to unsettle me for the night, but when I previously visited the emergency room for similar concerns, they assured me everything was normal, though that visit cost me quite a bit. I’m a 28-year-old male with normal blood pressure; however, I have had instances of elevated triglycerides, and my cholesterol levels could definitely use improvement. According to the somewhat flawed BMI scale, I hover right at the border between normal and overweight. Overall, my health isn’t the best—my diet includes too much sugar, and I don’t exercise enough. This situation is certainly causing me a lot of anxiety. I suspect the discomfort worsened after a round of golf on the fourth day, leading me to wonder if it might be muscular in nature. Unfortunately, ibuprofen hasn’t provided much relief. I managed to complete 18 holes and mow the lawn yesterday, which gives me some confidence that I am generally okay. I’ve found that Benadryl offers some relief, and Xanax helps even more, yet I’ve heard it might just mask signs of angina by lowering blood pressure. I think it’s time for me to reach out to my doctor, though I’m concerned they might either dismiss my worries or recommend a slew of expensive tests that I may not really need. I suspect the first scenario is more likely, even though the latter option would at least provide me with peace of mind or clarify any potential health issues. If I contact them tomorrow, it’s likely I won’t get an appointment until the following week. Fingers crossed I don’t meet an unfortunate fate before then! While I’ve made it through the week so far, my anxiety about the situation has lessened gradually. However, these symptoms are definitely unusual for me, so it might be wise to seek medical advice, wouldn’t you agree? Or might it be prudent to wait a bit more?
Unpleasant Odor from My Left Arm When Sweating
Hello everyone, I’m new here and I’m looking for some insight regarding an unusual issue I’ve been experiencing. I’m a 22-year-old male, standing at 5’7” and weighing 160 pounds, and I cope with Crohn’s Disease; however, I’m currently on Skyrizi. This peculiar problem has persisted for about three weeks now. Given this sweltering summer, I’ve noticed an increase in my perspiration levels. I’m beginning to wonder if my situation is linked to the heat. Specifically, I’ve encountered a rather concerning issue: my left bicep emits a peculiar odor—one reminiscent of sneezing or even dog food—whenever I sweat, and this scent lingers after the fact. Strangely, my right bicep has no such odor and smells completely normal. Furthermore, even after washing, the unpleasant smell from my left arm remains. Just yesterday, I wore a sweater and the combination of the new fabric scent with the odor of sweat created a powerful, nearly putrid fragrance. I am reaching out to see if anyone has any ideas about the origins of this smell and what steps I can take to alleviate it. Your suggestions would be greatly valued. As a side note, I should mention that I’ve recently grown out my hair for the first time this summer; it’s quite thick and the longer sections rest on my left shoulder, which makes me wonder if this could be contributing to the sweating issue. Additionally, I did just recover from a viral infection and fever, which might explain my increased perspiration during this period. Any thoughts would be incredibly helpful!
Swelling in My Right Foot
I’m a 23-year-old male, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 340 pounds. My lifestyle leans heavily towards being sedentary, and I do smoke vape products. Recently, I’ve started to notice some swelling primarily in my right foot, although my left one also shows some mild puffiness. This swelling is persistent, not easing much overnight. While it doesn't lead to pitting edema, I find that I have to adjust the tightness of my shoes throughout the day due to discomfort. After a visit to my physician, I was reassured that my heart and lungs appear to be in good condition. I also had blood tests about six months ago, which returned normal results. I’m perplexed about the potential causes for this persistent swelling and it has me quite worried. If anyone has insights regarding what may be going on or suggestions on how to address it, I would greatly appreciate your assistance! Thank you!
Long-Standing Pain Episodes Without Answers
For nearly 15 years, I (F33) have been grappling with episodes of pain, and thus far, no healthcare provider has been able to provide clarity on the issue. Let me elaborate on these episodes, as I’ve meticulously prepared to explain this numerous times: - Currently, these episodes occur about once or twice a month, though their frequency can fluctuate. - Initially, they appeared every few years, gradually becoming more frequent and intense over time. - The duration of these episodes can range from 30 minutes to six hours, typically averaging around two to three hours. - I experience waves of pain every 10 to 30 minutes, increasing in intensity until they reach a nearly unbearable peak before subsiding completely. Interestingly, in the intervals between these waves, I often feel completely normal. - The discomfort is consistently localized on the right side of my body, initially manifesting in my jaw or occasionally just beneath my right shoulder blade in the upper back. - As the pain develops, it tends to radiate down to the right side of my neck and chest, and frequently affects my stomach. - My stomach often feels uneasy, leading to gas, bowel irregularities, and heartburn during these episodes. - Once the episode concludes, I feel relatively normal, albeit somewhat fatigued, and there’s no residual pain afterward. - The nature of the pain can be dull or sharp. - I haven’t identified any precursors signaling the onset of these episodes; they tend to strike unexpectedly. - On certain occasions, I may experience a milder form of this discomfort lasting a few hours or a day, but I do not classify that as a full-blown episode. - At its worst, the pain can be truly debilitating, limiting my capacity to function. I would rate it an 8 or even a 9 out of 10 in rare instances. To date, I have pursued the following investigations: - I consulted a general practitioner who initially attributed my symptoms to heartburn, later suggesting costochondritis, which was eventually ruled out. I do experience heartburn frequently, but is it truly capable of causing such severe pain? - I underwent a chest X-ray that yielded normal results. - A visit with a cardiologist found no heart-related issues. - A neurologist recommended an MRI but did not provide any further insights beyond that. - I've also seen a massage therapist due to significant tightness in my jaw and shoulders, who theorized that muscle tension could either be contributing to or resulting from this pain. One hypothesis presented to me is that irritation of the vagus nerve could be a possible cause, although I’m uncertain how to pursue testing for that. Overall, I do not suffer from any other medical conditions and I consider myself relatively healthy. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions regarding potential next steps, as I feel like I’ve reached an impasse. The healthcare professionals in my area seem to provide minimal assistance, which adds to my frustration in seeking proper care. Thank you for your help!