Normally, urine decreases in amount and becomes more concentrated at night, allowing six to eight hours of sleep without using the bathroom. With the condition called nocturia, individuals are awakened several times throughout the night voiding their bladder. The condition becomes more common with age and occurs in both men and women, sometimes for different reasons.
Prostate Problems
According to Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)--a non-cancerous overgrowth of the prostate--experience nocturia. The prostate surrounds the urethra in men and with the presence of BPH, it becomes swollen and obstructs the flow of urine, not allowing for a complete emptying of the bladder during urination. The urine remaining in the bladder causes a "full" feeling, resulting in frequent urination throughout the day and night.
Congestive Heart Failure
The medical condition called congestive heart failure causes nocturia, reports the Cleveland Clinic. In congestive heart failure, the upper and lower extremities, such as the arms and legs, become swollen with fluid. The fluid accumulated in the body turns into a large volume of urine when sleeping, causing excessive urination throughout the night.
Diabetes
The condition of diabetes causes nocturia, reports Medline Plus. In diabetes, the body has an increased thirst for fluids, which produces a great deal of urine throughout the day and evening. The bladder deals with the fluid over load by emptying at night as well, causing frequent disruptions in sleep.
Chronic or Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Nocturia might result from a chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Symptoms that are present along with excessive urination at night indicating a possible urinary tract infection include burning when urinating, fever and abdominal pain.
Cystitis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, individuals with cystitis experience nocturia. With cystitis, the bladder becomes painfully inflamed and swollen, causing an overactivity of the bladder. Urine produced at night can't be held that long comfortably, resulting in excessive urination at night.
Medications
Certain drugs such as diuretics and cardiac glycosides causes nocturia, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Diuretics remove excessive fluid accumulation and if the drugs are taken before bedtime, they interrupt sleep by causing frequent urination. If medications are the cause of nocturia, the Cleveland Clinic recommends changing the time by taking them mid-to-late afternoon, at least six hours before bedtime.
Sleep Disorders
According to Medline Plus, certain sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea, result in nocturia. Individuals with a poor sleeping habit awaken frequently and use the bathroom whenever they are awakened. The urgency to void the bladder doesn't occur in sleeping disorders but being disrupted from sleep and then voiding while awake, causes the nocturia.
Excessive Fluid Intake
Drinking too much fluid before bedtime, particularly coffee, caffeinated beverages or alcohol results in excessive urination at night, states The University of Maryland Medical Center. Restricting fluids in the evening, especially before bedtime, significantly decreases nocturia.
