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Frequent Night Urination: A Sign of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Nocturia, or frequent urination at night, is a symptom that can have very negative impacts on your daily life. Nocturia becomes more common as men age and can occur as a symptom of a number of issues and conditions. Waking up once during the night to urinate is not considered out of the ordinary, but when it happens more frequently, there might be an issue that needs to be identified. One of the three types of nocturia – nocturnal urinary frequency – is most often due to an inability to fully empty the bladder and can be caused by many conditions, including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
If you find that you are waking up several times a night to use the bathroom, you may be suffering from BPH. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensuring that you can continue living a healthy and comfortable life. Our specialists at American Prostate Centers are here to help you address the uncomfortable symptoms associated with BPH, including frequent urination at night.
Symptoms of Frequent Night Urination
As nocturia is urination that occurs during the night, symptoms can easily interrupt your sleep and make it more difficult to function during the day. Ideally, the average person should be able to sleep six to eight hours without having to use the bathroom. Symptoms of nocturia can include:
- Waking up more than once during the night
- Urinating more volume during the night
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
Causes of Frequent Night Urination
Frequent urination at night can be a result of several medical conditions, or it may be due to certain lifestyle habits that someone follows before they go to bed. When you visit a doctor with concerns about nocturia, they will ask you questions about your habits and any other related symptoms you may be experiencing. Some causes of nocturia include:
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Drinking excessive fluids before bed
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Bacterial infections
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- Vascular disease
- Sleep disorders
Take the BPH Symptom Assessment! Find out if you are a candidate for PAE.
How Does BPH Cause Frequent Urination at Night?
BPH makes it more difficult to empty the bladder when urinating since there is an obstruction present due to the prostate pressing against the urethra. When urine remains in the body, you are likely to need repeated trips to the bathroom in order to feel relief. The obstruction caused by BPH leads to an inability to fully empty the bladder, which can lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night.
Those with BPH may find that they need to urinate every one to two hours, which can continue into the night and lead to interrupted sleep. Seeking proper medical care if you are experiencing frequent urination at night is crucial to your overall health and well-being, as a lack of sleep can interfere with your daily life, work, and more. When you visit American Prostate Centers, we will determine the cause of your nocturia and guide you toward the best next steps for relief.
Treatment for Frequent Urination at Night
Treatment for nocturia ultimately depends on the cause of the symptom. Treating the underlying cause should allow you to sleep through the night without waking up several times to urinate. A specialist should be able to determine the cause of the issue and administer the proper treatment. If your nightly urination is found to be caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, our affiliated specialists at American Prostate Centers are here to help. We proudly offer Prostate Artery Embolization, a minimally invasive-image guided procedure to address BPH.
Lifestyle Changes
Aside from specific treatments for conditions that can cause nocturia, there are several lifestyle changes that are often recommended to address this inconvenient issue. You should be sure to restrict your fluid intake in the evening, especially coffee, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Afternoon naps can also help, along with elevating the legs in bed to prevent fluid accumulation. Wearing compression stockings may also help.
PAE: Minimally Invasive Prostate Treatment
American Prostate Centers is proud to offer Prostate Artery Embolization to our patients to address symptoms of BPH. This minimally-invasive treatment does not require a hospital stay and is performed in an outpatient setting. The process involves the insertion of a small catheter into the arteries that supply blood flow to the prostate, using image-guided technology. Tiny particles are injected to block blood flow to the prostate gland, which causes it to shrink. As the prostate shrinks, less pressure is placed on the urethra and the bladder should be able to fully empty during urination.
What to Expect from Prostate Artery Embolization
Frequently Asked Questions About Frequent Urination at Night
Frequent urination at night is medically termed nocturia. It’s defined as waking up one or more times during the night to urinate. Occasional nighttime urination is normal, but waking up frequently can disrupt sleep and impact your quality of life.
While occasional nighttime urination is normal, waking up two or more times per night could be excessive, possibly indicating nocturia.
- Limit fluid intake: Avoid drinking too much fluid in the evening, especially caffeine and alcohol, which can act as diuretics.
- Elevate your legs: Some people find relief by elevating their legs slightly, which can help reduce fluid retention and ease the workload on the heart.
- Empty your bladder before bed: Make sure to urinate before going to sleep to reduce the amount of urine you produce during the night.
- Avoid irritants: Certain foods and beverages, such as spicy foods and citrus drinks, can irritate your bladder and worsen nocturia.
Here are some signs that indicate you should see a doctor for nocturia:
- Sudden onset or worsening of symptoms
- Painful urination or blood in the urine:
- Difficulty emptying your bladder completely
- Urinating more than twice a night:
- Disruption to your sleep or daily life
Schedule an appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.
Our Prostate Specialists
At American Prostate Centers, our affiliated specialists are interventional radiologists in New York that are national leaders in innovative enlarged prostate treatments. Our team has decades of experience caring for patients with BPH. Every patient will be treated with the best care and attention needed to feel comfortable.
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