THE nocturia a condition that causes a person to wake up several times during the night to urinate, is more common than you might think and can indicate several health problems.
Affecting both men and women, the disease can harm sleep quality and increase the risk of falls during the night.
The problem is characterized by the need to urinate several times during the night. According to Luiz Otavio Torres, president of the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), the condition is identified when the person gets up to urinate more than once a night.
“The most common thing is that we don’t wake up to urinate or that we only do it once,” explains Torres. “This depends a lot on the amount of liquid ingested before going to sleep. The more liquid, the more often the person will get up.”
Pedro Tulio Rocha, nephrologist and coordinator of the kidney transplant service at Hospital São Lucas Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro, adds that to identify nocturia, a urination diary where the patient records the frequency and times of bathroom visits.
“Nocturia can be secondary to problems such as diabetes, urinary infections or prostate conditions,” he says.
Impacts on quality of life and health
The disorder can have significant impacts on sleep quality and, consequently, overall health.
“When nocturia is mild, many people don’t mind it,” Torres says. “But for those who do, it can lead to sleep disturbances and decreased quality of life.”
Constantly interrupted sleep can result in fatigue, irritability and even an increased risk of household accidents during the night.
In addition to sleep problems, the disease can be associated with other health conditions. In men, the most common cause is an enlarged prostate, which prevents the bladder from emptying completely. In women, it can be linked to urinary infections, pelvic prolapse or hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopause.
“With aging, cases of nocturia tend to increase in both sexes,” highlights Rocha.
Prevention and treatment
To minimize episodes of nocturia, experts recommend avoiding excessive fluid intake in the two to three hours before bed. “The ideal is to drink plenty of water during the day and reduce fluid intake at night,” says the SBU doctor. In addition, it is important to control caffeine and alcohol intake, which can increase urine production, and moderate salt intake, which can irritate the bladder.
In terms of treatment, the approach varies depending on the cause. “In men, prostate problems can be treated with medication or surgery,” explains Torres. “For urinary urgency, there are effective medications.”
Rocha adds that in cases of urinary tract infections, treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics. In the case of diabetes, controlling glucose levels can help reduce urine production.
Seeking medical advice is crucial to correctly diagnose the cause of nocturia and determine the appropriate treatment. “A good history and specific tests can guide diagnosis and treatment,” emphasizes the nephrologist.
Nocturia can be a warning sign for a number of health conditions, and addressing it appropriately can significantly improve your quality of life.
This content was originally published in Do you go to the bathroom often at night? See when nocturia can be a risk on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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