Treating Nocturia
There are many things that can keep you up at night – stress, caffeine, and insomnia are the most popular. However, if you are making multiple trips to the bathroom during the night (and you’re not pregnant), you could be suffering from nocturia.
Nocturia is characterized by a low bladder capacity and/or the overproduction of urine during nighttime sleep. If you wake up more than once during the night with the urgency to run to the bathroom, you need to have this urinary condition evaluated by an experienced gynecologist. A continued disruption to a good night’s sleep can have drastic negative effects on a healthy life.
Triggers to Nocturia
There are numerous culprits to nocturia, including those that are easily controlled and some which will require medical treatment. Frequent runs to the bathroom during the night can often be attributed to one or more of the following:
- Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime
- Untreated sleep apnea
- A bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI)
- An overactive bladder
- Diabetes
- Certain medications
- Age (less bladder control)
It is important to discuss nighttime waking due to bladder issues with your doctor. A prolonged period of disrupted sleep can wreck your life. The body depends on sleep to handle stress, provide necessary rest, strengthen the immune system, and control weight gain. Without adequate rest, the body will suffer negatively from fatigue, the inability to concentrate, and other health-related issues.
If you are concerned by how often you awaken during the night with the urge to urinate, please contact Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates, P. A. We specialize in women’s issues, including bladder concerns. We can help determine the specific causes of your nocturia and help provide treatment options that will result in better sleep.
