For many people, it’s quite normal to get up one time during the night to get to the washroom. However, if you’re waking up two or three times or even more, and your sleep is frequently disrupted each night, then it requires attention. Often urinating at night can cause problems with sleepiness, lack of energy and concentration the next day. Many people overlook it and think that it is due to old age or due to excess water. However, it sometimes is the initial symptom of any health condition. This blog outlines the typical causes, signs and when to seek medical attention.
Nighttime Urination: What is it?
The medical term for getting out of bed during the night to pass urine is “nocturia”. A person who wakes up 2 or more times each night, and this bothers them, is usually considered a problem. The body produces more urine during the day time. Normally makes less at night, allowing bladder to store urine till the morning. If this system isn’t functioning properly, the bladder fills up more quickly or may not have the capacity to store as much and you will wake up many more times.
Simple Habits That May Be the Reason
At times the reason is trivial. A large volume of water, tea or coffee before bedtime can cause rapid bladder filling. Caffeine and alcoholic beverages also stimulate urine output. Dinner, the last meal of the day, should be a non fatty food as its salt content causes water retention and will be excreted during the night. Certain water-absorbing drugs (usually used to treat high blood pressure or swelling) can also cause this when used in the evening. If you only see it on certain days, see how your routine at night is going.
Diabetes and Frequent Urination
A very common hidden cause of high blood sugar is. If the blood sugar is elevated, the kidneys attempt to excrete the excess sugar in the urine and this causes a loss of water as well. This results in diabetes and frequent urination and symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue, vision problems, slow healing of wounds and weight loss. The majority of individuals are diagnosed with diabetes by going to the doctor for an urination problem during the night. A blood sugar test can settle this query.
Enlarged Prostate in Men
One of the most common causes is an enlarged prostate in men over the age of 50. The prostate is a small gland adjacent to the bladder. It grows with age and this puts pressure on the urine pipe, making the bladder not empty completely. This means that there is some urine remaining and bladder fills up quicker. Other symptoms are a weak or slow stream, difficulty starting urine and a sense of the bladder being full and dribbling after passing urine. An enlarged prostate is not cancer, but it can only be determined as such with the proper tests, only a doctor can tell.
Urinary Tract Infection
UTIs occur when bacteria get into the urine pipe or bladder. It can happen to anyone, and is more prevalent in women. The need to urinate repeatedly, burning, pain in the lower abdomen, foul-smelling or cloudy urine and sometimes low-grade fever. When the infection spreads to the kidneys, there is back pain, high fever and chill which requires prompt treatment.
Overactive bladder and other causes
With overactive bladder, the bladder muscle squeezes too frequently; it can cause the bladder to empty too rapidly or with a strong urge, even if it’s not completely full. Others also have leakage of urine before they reach the washroom. Other causes are heart problems or kidney disease, which cause excess fluid to accumulate in the legs throughout the day, but drain into the blood during the night. There is also a possibility of increased night time urination due to sleep apnoea (recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep). Menopause and pregnancy can be a factor in women.
The following are some signs that are not to be ignored:
There are certain signs that indicate that you shouldn’t delay. If you notice any blood in your urine, pain or burning when passing urine, fever with back or side pain or a weak stream, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you have difficulty emptying your bladder completely, or if you are not able to pass urine, also have this checked immediately. Sudden weight loss, extreme thirst, swelling in the feet or legs and breathlessness are other signs that need prompt attention.
When should you go in to see a Urologist?
The time of the visit to the urologist may save you from greater issues down the road. Visit the book if you get up twice or more times at night for more than a few weeks, if sleep and/or daily functioning is disturbed, or if basic changes at home are not improving the situation. It is recommended to have men checked particularly if over 50 years old. Don’t be embarrassed to talk about their urine problems; they are very common and usually can be treated.
Your physician may recommend some of these tests:
The doctor will start by asking you about your habits, medicines and health history. The urine test is used to detect infection, sugar or blood. Sugar and kidney function may be tested in a blood test. A PSA test may be recommended for men to determine prostate health. Ultrasound can help to identify if the bladder empties properly. You may be asked to keep a record of the drinks you consume and of how frequently you pass urine over a few days, to help identify the pattern.
Some tips
In the meantime, there are steps you can take that can help. Limit fluids 2-3 hours prior to bedtime. Reduce evening intake of tea/coffee, alcohol and salt. If your doctor says it is OK, use water-removing medicines before the person gets home from work. Maintain normal blood sugar and blood pressure levels; do not get constipated. These are some tips to help with treatment, but they are not a substitute for a good check-up.
Conclusion
Treatment will vary depending on the cause, and in many cases will be simple and effective. At Criticare Hospital, our team can provide you with an appropriate test, proper guidance and treatment for all your urine related issues. Looking for a best urologist in Lucknow visit us for an examination and a good night’s sleep.
