Nocturia: All you need to know about excessive nighttime urination and its causes

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New Delhi: Do you often wake up several times in the night to urinate? If yes, then you might be suffering from nocturia, also known as excessive nighttime urination.

It is very common among older adults, but can occur at any age. And the causes of nocturia range from lifestyle choices to medical conditions.

Here are some causes of nocturia which we should be aware of:

Medical conditions

One of the most common causes of nocturia is urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection. However, there are also other medical conditions that can cause nocturia such as:

• infection or enlargement of the prostate
• bladder prolapse
• overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome
• tumors of the bladder, prostate, or pelvic area
• diabetes
• anxiety
• kidney infection
• edema, or swelling, of the lower legs
• neurological disorders

Pregnancy

It can be an early symptom of pregnancy. Nocturia is develop at the early stage of pregnancy and will become more common later, when the womb presses against the bladder.

Sleep apnea

Nocturia can also be a symptom of sleep apnea. Even if the bladder is not full, it can occur. But once the sleep apnea is controlled, then it will go away.

Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

Excessive fluid consumption is also one of the common cause of nocturia. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages are diuretics, which means that drinking them causes your body to produce more urine. Drinking too much alcohol or caffeinated beverages can lead to waking up and frequent urination at night.