Nocturia, also known as nocturnal polyuria, is the medical word for nighttime urinating. Your body generates less urine that is more concentrated during sleep. This means that most individuals will not need to get up throughout the night to urinate and will be able to sleep for 6 to 8 hours uninterrupted....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
You may have nocturia if you have to get up two or more times per night to urinate. Nocturia might be a sign of an underlying medical illness in addition to disrupting your sleep.
Causes.
1. Medical conditions.
Nocturia can be caused by a number of medical disorders. A urinary tract infection (UTI) or a bladder infection are two common causes of nocturia. Throughout the day and night, these infections induce burning sensations and frequent urine. Antibiotics are required for treatment.
2. Pregnancy.
Nocturia is a common early sign of pregnancy. This can happen early on in pregnancy, but it can also happen later on when the womb grows and presses against the bladder.
3. Medications.
As a side effect, some drugs might produce nocturia. This is especially true of diuretics (water pills), which are used to treat hypertension.
If you lose the ability to urinate or can no longer regulate your urination, you should seek emergency medical attention from a doctor.
4. Lifestyle choices.
Excessive fluid consumption is another prevalent cause of nocturia. Diuretics, such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages, cause your body to generate more urine when consumed. Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeinated beverages might cause midnight waking and the need to urinate.
Treatments.
If a medicine is causing your nocturia, taking it earlier in the day may help.
Nocturia can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as diabetes or a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can develop or spread if left untreated. Nocturia caused by an underlying ailment usually goes away if the underlying condition is adequately addressed.
How to prevent it.
Reduce your drinking 2 to 4 hours before bedtime to avoid the urge to urinate in the middle of the night. Avoiding alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages, as well as urinating before bedtime, may assist. Chocolate, spicy foods, acidic foods, and artificial sweeteners are examples of foods that might irritate the bladder. Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physical therapy can help you improve bladder control and strengthen your pelvic muscles.
Keep a close eye on what makes your symptoms worse so you can make changes to your behaviours. Some people find that keeping a journal of what they drink and when they drink it is beneficial.