April 2024 | Reviewed by: Margaret Hovda, MD
What is nocturia?
Nocturia is a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee. It is common for people to wake up once a night to pee, or to wake up on occasion to pee. Nocturia is diagnosed when you are regularly waking to pee more than once per night. These disruptions to your sleep cycle can you leave you feeling tired or moody during the day.
While nocturia isn’t life threatening, it is most commonly a symptom of an underlying condition. Some underlying conditions could be serious, so talk with your doctor if you are experiencing nocturia.
The condition becomes more common as you age. It is estimated that half of all adults over 50 years old will experience nocturia.
What are the symptoms of nocturia?
The symptoms of nocturia are waking up more than once per night to pee on a regular basis. Because these awakenings disrupt your sleep cycle, you may feel tired or moody during the day.
What causes nocturia?
Nocturia can be indicative of other sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, as well as other medical conditions. It is often the case that an underlying condition is the cause of nocturia.
Some other common causes of nocturia are drinking too much liquid before bed, medications that contain a diuretic, reduced bladder capacity, and habit or routine.
How is nocturia diagnosed?
Nocturia is diagnosed if you are over the age of 5 and are waking up more than once per night to pee on a regular basis. You should talk with your primary health care provider if you are experiencing nocturia.
Your doctor will need to rule out other conditions that may be causing the nocturia, like sleep disorders or other medical conditions. Some of these conditions may require that you see a specialist instead of your primary health care provider.
Your doctor may order a urinalysis or other tests that check your kidney function, bladder or urethra.
How is nocturia treated?
Most commonly there is an underlying condition that is causing the nocturia that must first be treated.
Some lifestyle changes may help with nocturia, such as restricting fluids in the evening or taking certain medications earlier in the day. Always talk with your doctor before adjusting when you take your medications.