Frequent Urination

Losing Sleep Due To Frequent Urination? Maybe You Have Nocturia

Nothing is more annoying than waking up in the middle of the night because of the feeling to urinate. Imagine being awake because of that, only to realize you can't sleep anymore. Sounds familiar? Maybe you have nocturia.

But what is nocturia and why should you care? Let's take it from the National Sleep Foundation and other sleep experts.

I. Definition, Causes And Symptoms

Nocturia is characterized by a frequent need to go to the bathroom even at night. In this condition, one wakes up while sleeping just to urinate, even for two or more times at night. For those with severe nocturia, they could get up for five or six times each night.

older people are more likely to suffer from this problem simply because as we age, our anti-diuretic hormone levels decrease, making us less able to hold fluids in our bodies. Another reason is that as we age, we also lose our holding capacity, which results to our need to expel the fluids from our bodies.

Nocturia is seen as a symptom of numerous conditions, including urological infection, prostate disorders, bladder prolapse, and even obstructive sleep apnea.

It could also be caused by excessive intake of fluids, especially caffeinated beverages, which makes the person feel the need to urinate at night.

II. Affects Old People The Most

As previously stated, this condition is common among elders. So common, that in fact, in a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation in 2003 called, "Sleep In America," nearly 65% of the respondents aged 55-84 reported about experiencing this problem at least a few nights a week.

Nocturia is a serious problem because it causes disturbed sleep patterns, which in turn affects one's quality of life. It could also be a source of accidents among older adults as they get up to urinate at night.

III. The Cure

One possible treatment for nocturia is through desmopressin, an anti-diuretic that controls or prevents one's frequent urination. Clinical trials have proven its efficacy in reducing the number of times one goes to the bathroom.

If nocturia is caused by another disorder, that condition must be addressed, and the nocturia will go away.

Another remedy is by seeking medical advice. It is recommended that a patient keep a diary where the actual number of times he has urinated at night are recorded, as well as his sleeping habits and his daytime fatigue. Through his diary, the doctor will be able to give the patient the right type of therapy.

Drinking at least 3 hours before bedtime will also help in preventing one's self from urinating. The more food with water content and fluids one consumes throughout the day, the greater amounts of urine must be expelled.

Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder.

A frequent need to urinate at night is called nocturia. Most people can sleep for 6 to 8 hours without having to urinate. Middle aged and older men often wake to urinate once in the early morning hours.

Together, frequent and urgent urination are classic signs of a urinary tract infection. Since inflammation reduces the bladder's capacity to hold urine, even small amounts of urine cause discomfort.

Diabetes, pregnancy, and prostate problems are other common causes of these symptoms.

Other causes include:

* Interstitial cystitis (an ongoing inflammation of the bladder that is much more common in women than men; often difficult to diagnose and treat)

* Diuretics and many other medications

And, less commonly:

* Radiation therapy
* Bladder dysfunction
* Bladder cancer

Common causes of nighttime urination:

* Drinking too much before bedtime, especially caffeine or alcohol
* Enlarged prostate