Peeing frequently at night? Here's what that could mean, according to health experts.
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What causes urinary tract infections?
A UTI is an infection of your bladder, kidneys or the tubes that connect them, typically caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract.
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It's 2 a.m., and you know the blinding light you just flickered on to use the bathroom is about to ruin your sleep. But when you've got to go, you've got to.
Nocturia, known colloquially as frequent nighttime urination, is common. More than 50 million people in the U.S. suffer, according to the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Library of Medicine. And roughly half of adults over the age of 65 have reported getting up at least once every night to use the bathroom.
"Waking up to urinate can either be a warning sign or an actual sign of a health issue you may not be aware of or a health issue that is not being properly treated," Dr. Justin Dubin, a urologist and men's health specialist at Memorial Healthcare System in South Florida and a co-host of the Man Up podcast, tells USA TODAY.
First, let's be clear about how nighttime urination is actually counted. Nocturia refers to urinating after a period of sleep, so simply heading to the bathroom after sundown doesn't count. Nocturia can be caused by a number of factors, including sleep disorders, excessive urine production, problems with bladder capacity and hormonal issues, per NIH.
Sometimes, waking up to go to the bathroom is just waking up to go to the bathroom. But how do you know when it's an issue worth bringing up to a doctor? Here's what medical professionals say.
Is your pee cloudy? Here's what medical experts say that could mean.
How many times is it normal to urinate at night?
Waking up once a night every once in a while is usually OK, Dubin says. But you should generally be able to sleep six to eight hours without having to do so.
"Consistently waking up two or more times every night? That is considered abnormal," he adds.
If you feel like you fit the description of nocturia, it may be worth it to take stock of how much fluid you're consuming two hours before bedtime, "especially alcohol and caffeine," which are both diuretics, meaning they make you urinate more frequently, Dubin notes.
Hmm: Certain foods can cause changes in urine, but so can medical conditions. Know the signs.
Why am I peeing so much?
Frequent nighttime urination can sometimes be an indicator of further health issues, experts say. Sometimes it isn't; Certain medications that are classified as diuretics, such as water pills, some heart medications and lithium can be the culprit. If that's the case, you can ask your doctor if you'd benefit from taking the medication in the morning, rather than right before bed.
But even if your nocturia isn't a warning sign for other health issues, the loss of sleep is likely enough reason to seek help.
"It is worth bringing up to your doctor, especially if it bothers you," Dubin says. "There are a lot of possible causes for you to be waking up at night and talking to your doctor will allow them to appropriately evaluate your history, your lifestyle and your overall health to see what is causing you to wake up at night. If you have specific health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure or prostate issues, the solution to your problem is treating your health issues."
Health experts will typically recommend patients try a mix of behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes and medication to relieve significant nocturia, according to the NIH.
"Like anything with your health, if something feels off or bothers you, it's important you go talk with a doctor," Dubin says. "Remember, we can't help you if you don't come in to talk with us."
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