Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Urinating more at night

Nocturia

 

Normally, the amount of urine your body produces decreases at night. This allows most people to sleep 6 to 8 hours without having to urinate.

Some people wake up from sleep more often to urinate during the night. This can disrupt sleep cycles.

Causes

 

Drinking too much fluid during the evening can cause you to urinate more often during the night. Caffeine and alcohol after dinner can also lead to this problem.

Other common causes of urination at night include:

  • Infection of the bladder or urinary tract
  • Drinking a lot of alcohol, caffeine, or other fluids before bedtime
  • Enlarged prostate gland (BPH)
  • Pregnancy

Other conditions that can lead to the problem include:

  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Diabetes
  • Drinking excessive amount of water
  • Heart failure
  • High blood calcium level
  • Certain medicines, including water pills (diuretics)
  • Diabetes insipidus

Waking often during the night to urinate can also be linked to obstructive sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders. Nocturia may go away when the sleeping problem is under control.

 

Home Care

 

To monitor the problem:

  • Keep a diary of how much fluid you drink, how often you urinate, and how much you urinate.
  • Record your body weight at the same times and on the same scale daily.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if:

  • Waking to urinate more often continues over several days.
  • You are bothered by the number of times you must urinate during the night.
  • You have a burning sensation when urinating.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions such as:

  • When did the problem start and has it changed over time?
  • How often do you urinate each night and how much urine do you release each time?
  • Do you ever have "accidents" or bedwetting ?
  • What makes the problem worse or better?
  • How much fluid do you drink before bedtime? Have you tried limiting fluids before bedtime?
  • What other symptoms do you have? Do you have increased thirst , pain or burning on urination , fever , abdominal pain , or back pain?
  • What medicines are you taking? Have you changed your diet?
  • Do you drink caffeine and alcohol? If so, how much do you consume each day?
  • Have you had any bladder infections in the past?
  • Do you have a family history of diabetes ?
  • Does nighttime urination interfere with your sleep?

Tests that may be performed include:

  • Blood sugar (glucose)
  • Blood urea nitrogen
  • Fluid deprivation
  • Osmolality , blood
  • Serum creatinine or creatinine clearance
  • Serum electrolytes
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine concentration
  • Urine culture
  • You may be asking to keep track of how much liquid you take in and how much you void at a time (voiding diary)

Treatment depends on the cause. If excessive nighttime urination is due to diuretic medicines, you may be told to take your medicine earlier in the day.

 

 

Open References

References

Carter C. Urinary tract disorders In: Rakel RE, Rakel D, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 40.

Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 3.

Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 114.

 
  • Female urinary tract

    Female urinary tract - illustration

    The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Female urinary tract

    illustration

  • Male urinary tract

    Male urinary tract - illustration

    The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Male urinary tract

    illustration

    • Female urinary tract

      Female urinary tract - illustration

      The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

      Female urinary tract

      illustration

    • Male urinary tract

      Male urinary tract - illustration

      The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

      Male urinary tract

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Urinating more at night

         
           

          Review Date: 8/31/2015

          Reviewed By: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist at the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.