Do you find yourself getting up to urinate more than once during the night? Then there’s a chance that you may have an overactive bladder. This condition is referred to as nocturia.
Nocturia is common especially as a person gets older. During sleep, your body produces a smaller amount of urine, which is usually more concentrated. According to the National Association for
Continence (1), at least 1 in 3 adults over the age of 30 need to make no less than 2 trips to the bathroom every night.
Nocturia is different from bedwetting. Many people can sleep 6–8 hours every night without having to wake. However, people who have nocturia will have to wake up more than once every night. This will disrupt your circadian rhythm and cause sleep loss together with other complications. This article discusses more nocturia and how to fix it for good.
Types of nocturia
There are four established types of nocturia:
· Nocturnal polyuria: Here, an excessive amount of urine is produced during the night.
· Global polyuria: The human body produces large amounts of urine both during the day and at night.
· Low nocturnal bladder capacity: The bladder is unable to hold as much fluid during the night.
· Mixed nocturia: This is a combination of nocturnal, global, and low nocturnal bladder capacity.
What causes nocturia?
Nocturia may be caused by several factors ranging from lifestyle choices to medical conditions. This condition is more common among older adults. However, it can occur at any age as well.
Common causes of nocturia include a bladder infection or urinary tract infection. These infections create a burning sensation and urgent urination all through the day and night. Antibiotics are usually required for treatment.
Nocturia may also be caused by other medical conditions such as:
· Bladder prolapse
· Enlargement of the prostate or prostate infection
· Diabetes
· Overactive bladder
· Kidney infection
· Tumors of the prostate, bladder, or pelvic area
· Edema of the lower legs
· Obstructive sleep apnea
· Anxiety
· Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or compression of the spinal cord.
Nocturia also occurs among people with organ failure, like liver or heart failure.
Nocturia may also occur during pregnancy. In many cases, it can be an early symptom of pregnancy. It may develop at the early stage of pregnancy or when the expanding womb presses against the bladder.
Some medications may also cause nocturia as a side effect. This is true of medications like water pills (diuretics) which are used for the treatment of high blood pressure.
You must seek emergency medical care from your healthcare provider if you are unable to urinate or you cannot control your urination.
Lifestyle choices may also be another common cause of nocturia. A primary example is excessive fluid consumption. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol are diuretics. This means that drinking these beverages will lead to nighttime waking and the urge to urinate.
Preventing nocturia
1. Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are one of the first-line treatments for nocturia. Your healthcare provider will advise that you moderate your fluid intake before sleep time. it is important that you stop drinking fluids a few hours before you go to bed, but ensure that you get enough fluids during the day.
Other important lifestyle changes that can help prevent and reduce nocturia include:
· Avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
· Maintaining a healthy weight, considering that excess weight can put a lot of pressure on your bladder.
· Taking naps in the afternoon
· Timing when you take water pills so that they don’t affect your nighttime urination.
If your frequent nighttime urination is caused by edema, you can try raising your legs during the day to reduce the swelling. Naps also help with nocturia, so you can have a nap in the afternoon with your legs raised. Compression stockings also help prevent the buildup of fluid.
2. Nerve stimulation
Sometimes nocturia may be caused by neurological disorders. Nerves that transmit signals to your bladder to contract may be giving you that urge to head to the loo. Nerve stimulation treatment can be non-invasive or invasive.
Invasive treatment involves implanting a device that transmits regulated impulses to your bladder close to your tailbone. A study (2) published in the Journal of Urology shows that this device is an effective long-term treatment for nocturia symptoms. It is also safe and reversible.
There is a need for more research regarding the non-invasive version of nerve stimulation. However, studies (3) have shown that electrical stimulation is effective against nocturia and overactive bladder.
3. Medical treatment
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications when lifestyle changes and preventive measures fail to reduce the frequency of nighttime urination. Doctors usually prescribe anticholinergics to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, if they’re the cause of your nocturia. You may also be advised to take a diuretic for regular urine production.
Takeaway
Nocturia can cause some long-term side effects including sleep loss. It also increases your risk for other health conditions. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience nighttime urination frequently. They will guide you on how best to modify your lifestyle or the right medical treatments to improve your symptoms.
