Sleep is a precious commodity that many of us simply do not get enough of. For some, they just can’t find enough hours in the day. Others get to bed on time, only to find they’re unable to fall asleep.
And then there are those who manage to get to bed on time and fall asleep immediately, only to wake up a few hours later because they have to go to the bathroom.
It’s frustrating. You may try to hold it, but this only continues to affect your sleep. Your choice is to stay awake in discomfort or crawl out of bed and stumble to the nearest bathroom. While it can happen to everyone once and a while, some people experience this nocturnal need to urinate night after night.
Typically, your body is trained to produce less urine at night, allowing you to sleep without interruption. This can change, however, due to a number of factors.
Experiencing a constant need to pee at night is referred to as nocturia. Nocturia isn’t a specific condition as much as a blanket term that applies to the situation. Nocturia is more common than you might realize, even among younger people.
The Journal of Urology found that one out of three men and 43% of women between the ages of 20 and 40 experience the need to urinate per night. 65% of people over the age of 55 get up multiple times a night to use the bathroom.
What causes nocturia? There are a number of possibilities.
Too Much Liquid
Often times, it’s simply a case of drinking too much liquid too late at night. If you’re experiencing nocturia, trying drinking less liquid at night, particularly 2 to 3 hours before you go to bed. Also go easy on caffeine and alcohol as both can increase the amount of urine your body produces.
If that doesn’t affect anything, then you might have something else going on.
Sleeping Disorders
Sleeping disorders don’t just keep you from getting continuous sleep. They can leave you having to pee more often during the night. 84% of people with sleep apnea experience frequent nighttime urination.
UTIs and Prostate Problems
Urinary tract infections can cause a frequent, urgent need to urinate, even while you’re trying to sleep. Though women are much more likely to experience UTIs, they can sometimes happen among men.
However, men are more likely to experience urination issues due to enlarged prostates. Prostate issues are typically found in men over the age of 50, but they can arise in younger men.
Other Causes of Nocturia
As we said, there are a lot of things that can result in nighttime bathroom visits. This includes an overactive bladder, obesity, diabetes, kidney infections, swollen legs, pregnancy, and more. The best way to figure out what’s wrong is by visiting a urologist.
For urology in Springfield, Ohio and the surrounding area, contact Urology Specialists of Ohio today. We have the knowledge and experience to help take back control of your bladder so you can rest easy.