Why does cold weather make me need to pee?

It can be rather annoying, but when we're exposed to cold temperatures, we more frequently feel the urge to use the bathroom. But why and what is considered normal as the weather changes?

During winter, people tend to layer up to keep their body nice and toasty. But when nature calls, it can be quite an ordeal to get out of some of those clothes. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel like their bladder gets full faster when it’s cold outside. 

You might be dressed accordingly for the cold temperatures in your area, but that doesn’t mean your body isn’t going to react to the freezing winter weather. Having to urinate more often in the winter is completely normal. And there's actually a name for it. It's a condition called cold diuresis. 

The ‘cold diuresis’ phenomenon

When you expose your body to the cold to get from one place to another or to take part in cold weather activities, your blood vessels naturally constrict. This happens so that your body can direct blood flow to your vital organs as a way to maintain warmth in those areas - a process called "peripheral vasoconstriction," according to Cleveland Clinic. 

Your kidneys are responsible for creating urine as a way to filter out waste from your blood. On an average temperature day, your body will usually produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine. Cold weather will result in your body needing to filter more blood than normal as a greater volume of blood rushes to your vital organs at a higher frequency. This results in you having to pee more often. Sure, it’s an annoying process, but rest assured that it's perfectly normal.

There doesn't appear to be any set temperature that will induce cold diuresis, since age, body composition, diet, and even posture can influence whether or not it will occur.

The hypothermia connection

Even though cold diuresis is normal, it is still a good idea to stay aware of when you need to urinate if you are in the middle of a winter outdoor activity. Cold diuresis is also the body’s way of preserving heat when it senses you may be in danger of hypothermia. That's why medical experts believe that an increased need to use the bathroom can be one of the first warning signs of hypothermia - a life-threatening condition that causes your body to lose too much heat.

It can result in shivering, confusion, slurred speech, shortness of breath and death. It's important to get to a warm, dry location quickly and seek medical attention immediately, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Rick Curtis, director of Princeton University's Outdoor Action Program, says watch for the "-umbles" - stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles that show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness.

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It might be tempting to drink less water or skip a bathroom break. However, drinking less water is not a healthy alternative and neither is holding it for long periods of time. You are probably going to make yourself pretty uncomfortable and could cause a urinary tract infection to develop. This will cause a whole new set of problems that you’ll have to deal with that are a lot more annoying than another bathroom break.

Also, since your body is using a great deal more fluid and you’re having to use the bathroom more, make sure that you are replenishing these fluids so you don’t get dehydrated. It might not be warm outside, but that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to retain your fluids. 

You should also remember to drink extra water when you come in from the cold, because even though you probably didn’t sweat, you may still have lost too much fluid from the effects of cold diuresis.

If you’re planning on any outdoor activity this winter, check your AccuWeather app for the latest weather updates in your area. You’ll be able to dress accordingly and know exactly what weather to expect so you don’t get dangerously cold. 

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