Our Houston urologists diagnose and treat nocturia, or frequent urination at night

Nocturia is the formal term for getting up to pee more than twice a night. It’s a common problem that affects more than half of men and women ages 50 and over. Many people wake up and go to the bathroom once during the night, but if it happens a lot – two or more times each night – you may need to see our Houston urologists to determine what is causing your frequent urination at night.

What causes the problem?

A variety of issues can cause you to get up to urinate at night. You may be drinking too many liquids before you go to bed. Your medications may have diuretic properties that cause you to go more often. Maybe, you’ve gotten in the habit of waking up in the night and just going to the bathroom when you wake up. Other health issues and conditions also cause nocturia.

• Physical issues, such as swelling, infection, an obstruction in the bladder, or bladder pain, may reduce your bladder’s capacity to hold urine
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Prostate obstruction or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate)
• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome
• Pregnancy, childbirth or menopause
• Your body produces more urine than your bladder can hold, a condition called polyuria

Whatever the cause, if you have nocturia, you will get up two or more times at night to urinate, and your sleep cycles will be disrupted, causing fatigue and tiredness during your waking hours.

Our Houston urologists can diagnose the cause of your nocturia

You may be tempted to simply accept getting up at night to go as part of aging or “just life,” but you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms. Not only can frequent urination at night affect your sleep, your mood and your ability to function, but it can also signal that there is an underlying problem that needs treatment.

Once you contact our urologists, they will ask you several questions. They may ask you to keep a diary to record your nighttime activity and other details. Often, our urologists order a urinalysis, blood work, imaging or a cystoscopy to finalize a diagnosis.

Managing and treating frequent urination at night

Our urologists may recommend medication and treatment for any underlying conditions. Sometimes, you can manage your nocturia with lifestyle changes, such as the following.

• Quit drinking caffeine by 4 or 5 p.m. and limit your evening fluid intake.
• Keep your legs elevated whenever possible to help distribute body fluids. Wearing support stockings may also help with edema, or fluid in the legs and feet.
• Take any medication that has diuretic properties in the morning or afternoon.
• If you can, take a short nap in the afternoon. It may reduce your need to go to the bathroom so often at night.

Peeing two or more times a night is not normal. You don’t just have to accept it. Our experienced, caring Houston urologists can help you get a good night’s sleep. Contact us for an appointment.