Do you experience the urge of urinating frequently at night? Waking up once or twice to urinate during the night time is common for most people but urinating frequently can indicate an underlying health issue. This can significantly affect your sleep patterns and your overall well-being.
To understand the reasons behind frequent urination at night, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Prakash Chandra Shetty, Urologist, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai.
Calling the frequent night time urinating as nocturia, Dr Shetty said that it can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. Here is a list of various illnesses that can trigger frequent urination beyond the sleep time.
1. Diabetes
As per Dr Shetty, High blood sugar levels might cause excessive urine production, requiring you to wake up frequently to urinate. When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys work to remove the excess glucose from the blood. This process can lead to increased urine production, causing more frequent urination. Sometimes, the medications used to manage diabetes can also increase the urine production leading to its frequency.
Also read: Are You Dealing With Frequent Urination? Here’s How To Identify It Is Unusual
2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
“UTIs can trigger an acute and frequent desire to urinate, which can last throughout the night,” Dr Shetty said. The infection can make the urinary bladder more sensitive causing it to contract frequently. It is advisable to seek treatment for UTIs properly to prevent complications and alleviate symptoms like frequent urination.
3. Chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney failure is another serious condition that can lead to nocturia. “Poor kidney function can impair the body's capacity to regulate fluids and electrolytes, requiring frequent urine,” Dr Shetty said.
4. Sleeping Disorders
“Sleep apnea can interrupt sleep and increase nighttime awakenings, particularly those caused by the desire to urinate,” explained Dr Shetty.
Also read: 6 Reasons Why You Are Facing Difficulty During Urination
5. Prostate Enlargement in Men
An enlarged prostate can block the passage of urine, causing frequent and urgent urination. Prostate enlargement is a common condition in older men known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder, leading to incomplete emptying of the bladder and increased urinary frequency, especially at night.
6. Neurological Disorders
According to the National Institute of Health the central and peripheral nervous systems regulate bladder activity. It stated, “Sensory nerves carry information from the bladder, urethra and pelvic floor to the spinal cord with the key sensory input passing into the sacral segments. Messages are relayed to the brainstem and are then distributed widely to other areas of the brain.” Hence, neurological disorders can disrupt this activity and can lead to frequent urination at night. Dr Shetty said, “Diseases affecting the brain and nerves, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, can cause bladder dysfunction.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr Shetty said, “Understanding the underlying reason for frequent midnight urination is critical for successfully treating and managing the disease.” A proper diagnosis and management of this underlying symptom is essential. Therefore, Dr Shetty advised, “If symptoms persist, it is best to visit a healthcare expert to rule out or manage any major health concerns.”