Nocturia & Frequent Urination

Nocturia and frequent urination

Waking two or more times a night to urinate (nocturia) disrupts sleep and raises the risk of falls in older adults. Daytime frequency — needing to go more than about eight times a day — is just as disruptive.

Sorting out the cause

Frequency and nocturia can come from the bladder (overactive bladder, incomplete emptying, infection), from the prostate, or from how much urine the body makes at night (fluid timing, heart or kidney conditions, sleep apnea, medications). A three-day bladder diary is often the single most useful test.

Treatment

Depending on the cause: fluid timing and evening habits, treating sleep apnea or leg swelling, bladder-directed medications or office therapies, or treatment of prostate obstruction. Dr. Sosenko coordinates with your primary care physician when a medical cause is found.