Dd and bladder problems

[marvelousdcomics]

DD is 14 and drinks barely anything (maybe 250ml a day - at most). However, she ALWAYS needs to pee. Every 30-60 minutes she goes to the toilet. Says its dark yellowish. If she drinks more, she goes every 10 minutes or so. Its ridiculous. At school she keeps saying she almost wets herself (aren't allowed to go in lessons) and its stopping her from going out anywhere. Its distressing her too. She doesn't get thirsty at all, not even after exercise. Any ideas as to what it is? Have an appt for Friday

If it is dark yellow she is dehydrated and needs to drink more as this can cause more issues in the future. Could be an infection or an overactive bladder etc.

Could be cystitis or even a UTI. Is she drinking less because she's worried about having to run to the loo? This is extremely counterproductive. Upping her fluid intake to 2 litres a day would be the first thing to try. There are apps that remind you to drink/teenage-friendly options. It doesn't have to be plain water either, diluting juices, milk and tea are all fine. Have a word with the school and make sure she can go to the loo whenever she needs to. Take a sample of urine with you on Friday.

nmg, she won't drink more. It's like a psychological thing - she hates the feeling of drinking, but I've told her she has to drink some.

BeBop, she hasn't altered her fluid intake much, she's never drunk much. I will try to get her to drink a bit more.

Thank you both

If she can't drink more then you need to try and get fluids into her somehow. Things like jelly, ice lollies/ice poles, soups and sorbets or yoghurts will help to increase her fluid intake, obviously watch the sugar. Ultimately, chronic dehydration is not nice. It will affect her concentration and increase the likelihood of her getting infections. If she became unwell with a fever for example, it would be potentially very dangerous if she refused to drink. I know nothing about child psychology, but is there anyway you could have her seen by a counsellor or therapist?

A specialist Women's physiotherapist might be something to think about as an added option. For bladder 'training'. She could reassure your daughter about the strength of the urethra muscles, and do a urine diary, explain about how the bladder works etc. Your daughter might find it reassuring and helpful. They are trained in continence issues. Usually for older women but still an experienced women's physio will have come across all sorts of issues relating to bladder function.

bladder training isn't helpful for all circumstances and all other causes such as infection etc should be ruled out first. It can be helpful to some who have certain conditions such as IC etc but I think that type of diagnosis is a long way off. It would worry me more that she doesn't drink very much and is obviously dehydrated, if this is a psychological thing then I would be getting her help for this as it could cause real damage.