Tired of Nighttime Bathroom Trips? Talk to Your Urologist About Nocturia
If you wake up two or more times each night to urinate, your urologist may diagnose you with nocturia. Nocturia, also called nocturnal polyuria, might not be dangerous by itself, but it may be caused by an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated. It’s also important to talk to a urologist about nocturia because your nighttime bathroom trips can lead to sleep deprivation, which can cause other health complications.
Your Symptoms
The main sign of nocturia is awakening multiple times at night to urinate. However, you may have other symptoms that may speak to the possible cause of nocturia. To aid in the diagnostic process, it’s important to talk about all of the changes you’ve seen in your health with the urologist. Additionally, let the doctor know if another physician has recently diagnosed you with another condition. The urologist will also need to know how long you’ve been experiencing nocturia, and whether there have been any changes in your lifestyle recently.
Possible Causes
Two of the most common causes of nocturia are bladder infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Treatment involves a course of antibiotics to clear up the bacterial infection. Other medical conditions that can cause nocturia to include the following:
- Bladder prolapse
- Diabetes
- Kidney infection
- Tumors in the pelvic region
- Prostate enlargement
- Edema
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Neurological diseases (Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis)
Nocturia can also be caused by lifestyle issues. Your urologist will ask whether you consume a lot of fluids in the evening. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages, in particular, can make you wake up frequently to urinate.
Your Treatment Plan
After reviewing your symptoms, the doctor may want to run a few tests. You may have a urinalysis, blood sugar test, imaging test, complete blood count, or fluid deprivation test. Once the urologist knows exactly what’s causing your nocturia, he or she can develop a treatment plan. If underlying problems like Parkinson’s disease or diabetes are causing the problem, then you may be referred to another specialist.
Nocturia is one of the many conditions our urologists treat here at Urology Associates, P.C. We can figure out what’s contributing to your problem, and we’ll put together a personalized treatment plan that’s appropriate for you. Call (855) 901-1338 to schedule a consultation at one of our urology clinics in Tennessee.