(RxWiki News) Nocturia, a condition in which individuals experience the frequent need to urinate throughout the night during sleeping hours, affects one in five U.S. men.
A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) reports that the prevalent overactive bladder condition could be the result of underlying medical problems, including chronic heart failure, diabetes or urinary tract infection.
The study found that among 5,300 U.S. men ages 20 and up, 21 percent reported getting up at least twice per night to urinate.
Study leader Dr. Alayne D. Markland said individuals who have their sleep disrupted with two or more episodes at night should address the condition with their doctor to maximize comfort and to make sure there is not an underlying medical condition that hasn't yet been diagnosed.
"Ask your doctor about overactive bladder medications or therapy."
There are overactive bladder medications available to treat nocturia. One medication mimics a hormone that keeps the body from producing urine at night. Antidepressants increase pressure on the bladder neck, making it harder to urinate.
According to the UAB study, here are also natural ways to curb nocturia, including avoiding caffeine and large fluid intake at night as well as making adjustments to sleeping habits.
Nocturia is more common among African-American men (30 percent) than other ethnic groups (20 percent). Just eight percent of men under 34 reported the condition compared to 56 percent of men aged 75 or older, which may be attributable to a decrease in bladder capacity that comes with age.
