Nocturia is the medical term for the need to urinate at night. Although it is more frequent in the elderly or during pregnancy, it can also be a sign of a health problem. We take stock!
The most common causes of nocturnal polyuria
Nocturnal polyuria differs from overall polyuria in that it occurs at night. Sufferers are generally obliged to get up several times a night to go to the toilet.
Good to know: « A person suffers from nocturia if he or she gets up to urinate one or more times a night. […] Nocturia is widespread, affecting around 40% of adults aged 18 to 79 », says the Sleep Foundation.
It is more common in the elderly, since as the body ages, it produces less aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that leads to fluid retention.
Pregnant women can also be affected by nocturnal polyuria. This is because the uterus presses on the bladder, reducing its capacity to hold large volumes of urine.
The most serious causes of nocturnal polyuria
In addition to these physiological changes, certain health problems can lead to nocturnal polyuria:
- Urinary tract infection or bladder infection;
- Taking certain treatments such as diuretics (these drugs, prescribed for high blood pressure or obesity, can cause nocturia as a side effect);
In more severe cases, nocturnal polyuria may be a sign of :
- sleep apnea;
- diabetes;
- heart failure;
- venous insufficiency of the lower limbs;
- liver failure;
- renal failure;
- neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,
- bladder and prostate cancer
If the urge to urinate at night becomes frequent and you notice the slightest symptom, consult a doctor without delay.