Do you wake up frequently throughout the night to go to the bathroom? This nagging reality can make getting ample sleep difficult, which can negatively impact the following day and your level of productivity. Is this problem – nocturia – a urinary problem or the result of a sleep condition, though? Knowing the difference can help you get the treatment you need, so keep reading to learn what you can do to address your nightly urination.
What is Nocturia?
Nocturia is a condition that causes a person to wake up multiple times each night to urinate. It is commonly linked to sleep apnea, but many patients are unsure if it’s a urinary problem or something related to their inability to obtain adequate rest.
What Can Cause Nocturia?
Nocturia can develop for many reasons, so it’s important to identify the underlying cause to better understand whether it is a urinary issue or a sleep problem. It should come as no surprise that this nighttime urinary condition can form because of:
- Drinking Too Much Fluid Before Bed: Whether it’s water, soda, or coffee that a person consumes before bed, drinking too much fluid can encourage the body to produce more urine. As a result, the individual may be more likely to wake up once or twice a night to go to the bathroom.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): When a person feels as if they need to urinate, there’s a good chance they have a UTI. Although they may not actually pee, it can cause them to wake up several times during the night.
- Sleep Apnea: Nocturia is common among individuals who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it affects the hormone that controls how much urine they produce. Also, each time an episode occurs, the person may be more aware that they need to use the bathroom.
- Diuretic Medications: Diuretics can increase urine production, which means that when treating certain conditions, like high blood pressure or heart disease, these medications can make one need to urinate more frequently.
How to Treat Nocturia
Treating nocturia requires meeting with a specialist to discuss sleep patterns, nighttime urinary frequency, and lifestyle habits. A patient may be recommended for a sleep study that will determine how often they use the bathroom when waking up from an episode.
Also, medication usage and lifestyle changes, such as not drinking fluids in the hours leading up to bedtime, may be required.
Once an appropriate treatment plan is created, the patient can begin to enjoy a more restful night’s sleep and worry less about frequent visits to the bathroom.
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in McKinney, we know how frustrating frequent urination throughout the night can be. Our experts see all types of patients, and those with nocturia desperately want to experience a positive change in their nightly habits. If you’re tired of always waking up to visit the bathroom, contact us to schedule an appointment.