Getting Up To Wee At Night: Do I Have A Problem?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night needing to urinate urgently? If so you may want to find out whether the cause is due to a lifestyle factor or a medical condition. There is nothing like a restful night of sleep but then a frequent need to get up and go urinate can wreak havoc. Please take note - if you are waking up occasionally to urinate at night, then there is nothing to worry about but if this happens consistently at least twice each night then you may have a problem known as nocturia, which is a common cause of sleep loss, especially among older adults.

Nocturia or frequent urination at night itself isn't a medical condition but a symptom of some other medical condition. These conditions may include:

1. Diabetes - frequent urination could be a symptom of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This happens as in diabetes our body attempts to get rid of the unused glucose through the urine.

2. Pregnancy - the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder encouraging nocturia.

3. Urine infection - when there is frequent urination along with fever and pain in the abdomen, it is usually due to a urinary infection.

4. A tumour of the bladder or prostate - this is a less common cause of frequent urination.

5. Some disorders affecting sphincter control can also lead to more than normal urination at night.

6. Some diuretic medications like those used to treat high blood pressure can be associated with nocturia.

7. It is also common in people with heart or liver failure.

8. Prostate problems - an enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, the tube carrying urine out of the body, and blocks the urine flow causing an irritable bladder which then contracts leading to frequent urination.

Please know that worrying about the above possible listed causes can make the situation worse. It is best to consult with a medical professional to find out the exact cause of your problem so an appropriate treatment plan can be made.

There are many treatment options available for frequent urination in adults but the most effective one is the one depending on the cause of the condition. So first get to the bottom of the cause and treat that accordingly. Your doctor may also advise changes in diet and lifestyle. Regular exercise and a diet rich in fibre can help maintain healthy digestion. Also avoiding diuretics like alcohol and caffeine can reduce the urge. For some people prescription medications maybe needed to help relieve the urge to urinate. In some rare extreme cases, surgical intervention may prove fruitful.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.