Nocturia is a condition that causes a person to wake one or more times during the night to urinate. It typically affects people 60 years of age and older, becoming more common as a person becomes older. The National Association for Continence explains that a nocturia has a number of causes.
Age
Anyone can suffer from nocturia; however, it is a condition more commonly seen in adults age 60 and older. It worsens with age and tends to increase in severity with each decade of life. As the National Association for Continence explains, if a person wakes once a night in his 60s, he may begin waking twice a night in his 70s. While this pattern is frequently seen, it does not happen with every person.
Excess Fluids at Night
Drinking too many fluids prior to bedtime is another possible cause of nocturia. To combat this, the National Association for Continence suggests limiting fluid intake in the evening to reduce the amount of urine the body produces late at night.
Medical Conditions
MayoClinic.com states that certain medical conditions can contribute to nocturia. Poor kidney function and diabetes can both cause high urinary output, while sudden urinary tract infections can produce symptoms resembling those of an overactive bladder. Abnormalities of the bladder, such as tumors or bladder stones, can also increase urinary output.
Medications
Certain medications, such as diuretics, can cause nocturia especially if taken at night. MayoClinic.com adds that it may not only be the medication, but also the amount of fluid that's needed to take them. Both can cause a rapid increase in urine production.
Fluid Redistribution
The National Association for Continence explains that during the day, while a person is standing, gravity pulls excess fluid into the lower extremities. This results in excess fluid in the legs, ankles and fingers. At night when lying down, this excess fluid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. The kidneys then cleanse the blood of this fluid by producing more urine.
Limited Nocturnal Bladder Capacity
Some people experience a decrease in bladder capacity, or a decrease in bladder function. When either of these occur, the urine production exceeds the bladder capacity of the individual, causing them to awaken frequently and urinate.
