Nocturia Definition
Nocturia is the condition in which you wake at night in order to pass urine. A common occurrence for pregnant women and most older people, nocturia can occur at any age, but it is more frequently seen in those over the age of 60.
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Conditions
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There are two conditions associated with nocturia---nocturnal polyuria and global polyuria. Nocturnal, as the name suggests, is the overproduction of urine that occurs only at night. Global refers to the overproduction of urine for both day and night.
Causes
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A variety of factors could be behind the increase in nighttime bathroom trips, but the most common possible causes are diuretic medications, caffeine and excessive fluid intake before bed. Health reasons for nocturia include diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
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Diagnosis
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Your doctor may ask questions regarding overall frequency of the urge to urinate and whether any pain is involved. An underlying medical condition may be responsible for your case of nocturia, in which case additional tests such as urinalysis may be performed.
Treatment
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Nocturia has only started being researched, therefore treatment options are few. Restriction of fluid intake and elevation of legs are simple behavioral changes to try, and medications are available for nocturia caused by medical conditions.
Differences in Gender
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Nocturia affects each sex differently due to the difference in anatomy. Women generally experience nocturia due to life events such as childbirth and menopause, while men develop nocturia due to an enlarged prostate.
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