Alternate Names: Nocturia; Nycturia
Considerations: It is normal for urine to decrease in amount and become more concentrated at night. Most people can sleep 6 to 8 hours without having to urinate.
Middle aged or older men may normally have to urinate once in the early morning hours.
With nocturia, it is common to awaken one or more times during the night to urinate.
Common Causes:
- too much fluid intake, particularly coffee, caffeinated beverages or alcohol, before bedtime
- benign prostatic hyperplasia
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection
- chronic renal failure
- congestive heart failure
- cystitis, acute (uncomplicated UTI)
- drugs such as diuretics, cardiac glycosides, demeclocycline, lithium, methoxyflurane, phenytoin, propoxyphene, and excessive vitamin D
Home Care: Intake and output should be monitored. Record weight at the same time(s) and on the same scales daily.
Call If:
- excessive nighttime urination continues over several days and is not explained by medications or increase of fluids before bedtime.
What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting the excessive nighttime urination in detail may include:
- time pattern
- How long has this been noticed?
- How many times does this occur each night?
- quality
- Has there been a change in the volume of urine produced?
- Are there ever "accidents" or bed wetting?
- aggravating factors
- What makes the problem worse?
- How much fluid is consumed in the evening before bedtime?
- relieving factors
- Is there anything that helps relieve the problem?
- Have you tried fluid restrictions before bedtime?
- other
- What other symptoms are also present? Is there
- What medications are being taken?
- How much caffeine is consumed each day?
- Have there been any bladder infections in the past?
- Is there a family history of diabetes?
- Does nocturia interfere with adequate sleep and rest?
- Do you drink alcoholic beverages and, if so, how much each day?
- Have there been any changes in the diet?
A physical examination will be performed. Electrolytes and fluids will be monitored over a period of time.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: INTERVENTION
If excessive nighttime urination occurs as a result of diuretic medications, you may be advised to take your medication earlier in the day.
AFTER SEEING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to nocturia, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
