Understanding nocturia: What frequent night-time trips reveal
Night-time bathroom visits can be bothersome, but they aren't always just the result of drinking tea before bed. A urologist explains that frequent night-time urination, called nocturia, may indicate serious health problems.
Nocturia is the medical term for a phenomenon familiar to many people: the need to get up at night to use the bathroom. For some, it's a minor inconvenience; for others, it serves as a warning signal from the body. Contrary to appearances, it's not always about excess fluids before bedtime.
When sleep is interrupted by a physiological need
Dr Tobias Jäger, a German urologist, explained in an interview with Bild.de that frequent night-time urination can be a symptom of a disease, mainly if it occurs every night and significantly disrupts sleep.
In men, one of the most common causes of nocturia is benign prostate enlargement. The prostate gland, which naturally enlarges with age, can press against the bladder and narrow the urethra, making it difficult to empty the bladder before bedtime.
This condition mainly affects men over the age of 50, but symptoms may appear earlier, particularly in those with genetic predispositions or unhealthy lifestyles.
What about women?
Although the prostate only affects men, women also struggle with nocturia. In their case, the cause may be a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to urinary incontinence or difficulty holding urine during sleep.
Postmenopausal women may also experience hormonal changes that affect the elasticity and function of the urinary system.
Nocturia doesn't only arise from urological disorders. Other causes include:
- hypertension – increases urine production by the kidneys at night,
- heart failure – the body "relieves" circulation by removing fluids,
- diabetes – excess glucose in the blood causes increased thirst and more frequent urination,
- sleep apnoea – breathing disorders cause a decrease in the production of the antidiuretic hormone.
