Of course, someone who drinks a lot automatically has to go to the toilet more often than someone who only drinks a little – at least that is usually the case.

But there is actually too much going to the toilet, which only very few are aware of.

How often you have to urinate is usually nothing that you think about at all: whoever has to, has to.

Two experts have explained to the “Self” portal how many times you go to the toilet – and when you should start worrying about your own health.

If you have to do it extremely often or very rarely, you could suffer from an illness.

Every 2.5 hours or 6 to 7 times is normal

There is no specific recommendation that is valid for everyone as to how often you should pee.

That’s because there’s no universal answer to how much water you should be drinking each day either. Of course there are guidelines, but the specific amount varies from person to person.

“The best way to tell if you’re well hydrated is to look at the color of your urine,” explains urogynecologist Amy George.

“If your urine is very dark or smells like something you just ate or drank, you should probably drink more water.”

If, on the other hand, the urine is very clear or light yellow, one can assume that there is a sufficient supply of liquid.

The urinary frequency, on the other hand, can be based on a normal range: the average bladder can hold between 0.3 and 0.5 liters at maximum capacity.

If you follow the hydration tips above and drink enough water, you should need to pee about 6-7 times (or about every 2.5 hours) in a 24-hour period.

That’s within the normal range, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If you have to go to the toilet significantly more or less often, this may be a warning signal from the body that something is not going normally.

If you rarely pee, you should have your kidneys checked

In some cases, peeing very infrequently can be a sign of kidney problems. “If you’re well hydrated and still don’t need to go to the bathroom that often, see a doctor,” advises George.

A good indicator in such cases is this rule of thumb: “You should excrete as much as you eat,” explains Fara Bellows, clinical professor of urology at Ohio State University.

An exception to the rule is if you exercise frequently and lose a lot of fluid through sweating. “When you’re sweating a lot, the urine output doesn’t necessarily equal the fluid intake,” George said.

Having to pee too often isn’t good either

But the urge to urinate too often can also be a warning signal. If you pee a lot, you may be drinking more water than you need. In this case, you should first try to drink a little less liquid.

Anyone who has already followed the tip to drink less – the color of the urine should still fall in the light yellow range as described above – but still have to go to the toilet constantly, may have an overactive bladder.

“Overactive bladder is a syndrome characterized by frequent urination and nocturia – multiple urinations during the night,” explains George.

Another symptom could also be incontinence – or just the feeling that you might not be able to make it to the toilet in time.

“As the bladder inflates, it sends a signal to the brain that it needs to be emptied,” George said. However, when you have an overactive bladder, the organ sends the wrong signals to the brain.

The impression then arises that one has to go to the toilet, even though the bladder is not full.

While peeing a lot can also be a sign of a painful UTI, Bellows says an overactive bladder usually doesn’t have the symptoms that a UTI can cause.

In addition to childbirth, neurological problems such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease as well as bladder operations are common reasons for an overactive bladder. But just getting used to frequent going to the toilet can also be a trigger

Treatment options for an overactive bladder

According to the experts, pelvic floor training and a change in diet can help with an overactive bladder. However, a doctor’s visit may be necessary.

If the problem is based on learned behavior, behavioral therapy can help, George said. A physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction may also be worth a visit.

Finally, it may also be a good idea to avoid coffee, tea, and soda, since these drinks can contain bladder irritants, Bellows explains. Acidic foods like citrus fruits could also be the problem.

Anyone who thinks they go too much or too little to the toilet should speak to their family doctor first. “If there is cause for concern, they can refer to a urologist,” Bellows said.

This article first appeared on fitforfun.de.