Frequent And Urgent Urinationaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Urine Volume & Frequency Abnormalities
Parent symptom: Frequent Urination
What is Frequent and Urgent Urination?
Frequent and urgent urination is a condition characterized by the need to urinate more often than usual, accompanied by a sudden, compelling urge to urinate that is difficult to defer. This can disrupt normal activities and sleep patterns, leading to a reduced quality of life.
How does TCM View Frequent and Urgent Urination?
Traditional Chinese Medicine perceives frequent and urgent urination as a symptom of imbalance within the body's organ systems, primarily the Bladder and Kidneys. Identifying the underlying pattern of disharmony—whether it's due to Dampness, Heat, or Qi Deficiency—is essential in TCM for providing the correct treatment to restore equilibrium.
Root Causes of Frequent And Urgent Urination in TCM
In TCM, frequent and urgent urination can be symptomatic of Dampness accumulation in the Bladder, often manifesting as Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat. Damp-Cold patterns may present with symptoms such as a heavy feeling in the abdomen and cloudy urine, while Damp-Heat patterns could cause symptoms like burning urination and fever. Treatment focuses on expelling Dampness and regulating the affected organ's function to alleviate urgency and frequency.
Explore below more details about what might cause Frequent and urgent urination according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Dampness
- Heat
- Phlegm
- View More Causes
Dampness
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Frequent And Urgent Urination
Common Symptoms: Cloudy Urine Painful Urination Urine Dribbling Dark Urine Cystitis Urethritis Urination Stopping In The Middle Of Flow Scanty And Yellow Urine
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Damp-Cold in the Bladder | Frequent and urgent urination, Urination stopping in the middle of flow, Upper abdominal heaviness, Urethral heaviness, Cloudy urine, Pale urine... see more | Ba Zheng San | Wu Lin San | Shi Wei San |
| Damp-Heat in the Bladder | Frequent and urgent urination, Urinary burning, Urination stopping in the middle of flow, Dark urine, Cloudy urine, Hematuria, Fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Lower abdominal fullness and pain, Feeling of heat... see more | Ba Zheng San |
| Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner | Frequent and urgent urination, Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions, Ulcers on the lower limbs, Scanty and dark urine, Painful urination, Dry mouth... see more | Ba Zheng San |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Frequent And Urgent Urination
For Damp-Cold in the Bladder, formulas like Ba Zheng San are commonly used to dispel Dampness and promote normal urination. This formula may include herbs like Chinese Pink Herbs, known for their diuretic action. In the case of Damp-Heat, the same formula can be adapted to clear Heat and Dampness from the Bladder.
Additionally, for patterns involving Phlegm in the Kidneys or Gallbladder, harmonizing formulas such as Si Ni San might be used. Qi Sinking conditions, causing a bearing-down sensation and possibly affecting organ positions, are often treated with Qi tonifying formulas like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. Each herbal prescription is customized after a thorough TCM diagnosis to ensure the treatment aligns with the individual's specific disharmony pattern.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address frequent and urgent urination, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Dampness
- Heat
- Phlegm
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Dampness:
Ba Zheng San
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause frequent and urgent urination, such as Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner or Damp-Cold in the Bladder
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Frequent And Urgent Urination Caused by Dampness
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Ba Zheng San | Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, Damp-Cold in the Bladder, Damp-Heat in the Bladder... see more |
| Wu Lin San | Damp-Cold in the Bladder |
| Shi Wei San | Damp-Cold in the Bladder |
TCM Herbs for Frequent And Urgent Urination
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address frequent and urgent urination, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
Herbs that drain Dampness
Frequent and urgent urination can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai), a key herb in some formulas recommended for frequent and urgent urination, like Ba Zheng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for frequent and urgent urination
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) | Ba Zheng San |
| Knotgrass (Bian Xu) | Ba Zheng San |