Prognosis
Depending on the underlying cause for the urge to urinate, the prognosis is different. For example, a bladder infection heals under antibiotic therapy usually after one week without consequences. The urge to urinate, which can be perceived as one of the first symptoms of type I diabetes, also has a very good prognosis.
Adequate treatment with insulin normalizes the feeling of thirst and consequently the urge to urinate. In contrast, the urge to urinate in type II diabetes is a consequence of nerve damage to the bladder and a symptom in the late stages of diabetes. Here, the prognosis is significantly worse, since the damaged nerves often do not regenerate even under an optimized therapy of the underlying disease.
If there is an enlargement of the prostate, which triggers the increased urge to urinate, the prognosis is generally good. Although the enlarged prostate cannot normally be reduced in size under conservative therapy, its steady growth can be inhibited and the symptoms of the urge to urinate can also be alleviated with medication. If this is not sufficient, the prognosis of the urge to urinate can usually be greatly improved by surgical removal of the prostate. If the urge to urinate is based on chronic illnesses such as heart or kidney failure, it can often be improved by adequate drug therapy against the underlying disease or symptomatically against the urge to urinate itself.
Prophylaxis
The best prophylaxis for urinary urgency due to existing basic diseases such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease is the optimal treatment and adjustment of these diseases, so that the urge to urinate cannot arise at all. If the urge to urinate is caused by dehydrating medication (diuretics), care should be taken that these are not taken in the evening, which at least reduces the nightly urge to urinate. If the urge to urinate is not based on any apparent external cause, the consumption of coffee or alcohol should be kept to a minimum, both of which result in a certain urge to urinate.