Peeing
in the middle of the night can certainly be bothersome—and interfere with a good night’s sleep! The amount of urine in the body should become more concentrated at night, but with nocturia, you may feel the need to wake up and frequently urinate during the night. So what can you do to stop peeing in the middle of the night?
Let’s first take a closer look at the causes of nocturia and who is primarily affected by this condition:
Who Is Affected by Nocturia?
Nocturia, or excessive urination at night, is a problem that is common in the over-65 crowd, primarily due to the aging bladder and urethra. As you get older, the body produces less diuretic hormones, which can contribute to frequent urination at night.
This condition occurs in both men and women, but it is generally more of an issue with women. Weakness of the bladder sphincter muscle due to menopause, pregnancy, or previous surgery can allow urine to escape the urethra from pressure.
Nocturia Causes
Everything from lifestyle changes to medical conditions can cause nocturia. Common causes include:
- Urinary tract infections: A urinary tract infection can lead to a burning sensation when peeing and the frequent urge to pee (even in the middle of the night).
- Poor diet: A diet high in sugar can cause yeast overgrowth; this can lead to bladder and urethral irritation.
- Alcohol and caffeine: Diuretics (i.e. alcohol, caffeine, water pills) or excessive fluid consumption can cause your body to produce more urine—you may frequently have the urge to wake up and pee in the middle of the night.
Natural Remedies for Frequent Peeing at Night
Since nocturia is typically a symptom of another condition (i.e. a urinary tract infection); try treating the condition first to help stop frequent urination at night. A few tips include:
- Modify your diet: If you have a poor diet, try eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates. Replace these with whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins and healthy fats. Avoid excessive alcohol intake, smoking, artificial sweeteners and food additives. Try to limit your caffeine intake during the day to help stop frequent urination at night.
- Drink water and cranberry juice: If you suffer from bladder irritation or a urinary tract infection, drink lots of fresh spring water. You can also add one to two glasses of fresh, unsweetened cranberry juice to your daily fluid intake to help clear out your system. Cranberry juice can also help reduce bladder wall irritation and prevent bacteria from infiltrating the bladder and urethral mucous membranes.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity, including pelvic floor exercises, can help prevent weight gain and constipation. It can also help prevent urinary tract infections by improving muscle tone within the bladder outlet.
Read Next: Tips to Solving Urinary Incontinence
Source(s) for Today’s Article:
“Urinary incontinence,” Mayo Clinic web site; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urinary-incontinence/DS00404, last accessed Oct. 28, 2013.