Don't Let Frequent Urination Keep You Up at Night!

If you frequently wake up at night to use the bathroom, you’re not alone! An estimated 50 million Americans deal with nocturia—the medical term for excessive urination at night—and there are ways to combat this unpleasant condition that might not be so obvious. Keep reading to learn how to keep frequent urination from interrupting your sleep!

What's Normal?

When you wake up to use the bathroom you will usually have some residual urine in your bladder. This is normal and typically lasts for one to two hours. After this initial urge, you will go every four hours or so, as needed. However, frequent urination every ten minutes can be an indication of a more serious health problem like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stone. This would require immediate medical attention in order to prevent future complications such as sepsis, kidney failure, and recurrent UTIs. Fortunately, there are things that can help control this issue such as dietary adjustments and/or medications to help reduce the frequency of episodes or keep them under control.

When Should I be Concerned?

Anytime you experience frequent urination, particularly in under thirty minutes it is worth being evaluated. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms you should immediately seek medical attention:

- Blood in urine 

- Unusual odor in urine 

- High fever 

- Discomfort or pain with urination

Causes of Frequent Urination

It is not uncommon for women to have to visit the restroom every few hours, but if you have to go more than every ten minutes and it is affecting your quality of life, you might be dealing with a more serious issue. Causes of frequent urination can range from pregnancy or UTI to a bladder infection. Some causes may not seem so serious, such as caffeine consumption or stress. Check out these possible causes and cures and see what's best for you!

Treatments for Frequent Urination

If you have frequent urination, don't just ignore it. There are many different treatment options available that can help manage this condition without dangerous side effects. One of the most common treatments is an over-the-counter medication that is prescribed by a doctor. People may also consider surgery to remove any tumors in the bladder or prostate and pelvic floor physical therapy if they have any other issues in those areas.

Tips to Help Men Deal with an Enlarged Prostate

For a few weeks before surgery to address an enlarged prostate, many men experience frequent urination every ten minutes or so. This is caused by your bladder's larger size because of the tumor. It won't harm you, but it may keep you up at night. However, this condition will subside once the prostate has been surgically removed.

Tips to Help Women Deal with An Enlarged Prostate

Many of the common symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate are often symptoms of another condition and can be confusing. Getting to the bottom of these common issues can sometimes lead to more serious health conditions which is why it's important that you visit your physician if any unusual symptoms persist. Some common symptoms include frequent urination, nocturia (excessive urination at night), urgency, intermittency, and dysuria (painful urination). Click here for a more comprehensive list of different prostate symptoms. 

If frequent urination is one of your main concerns, there are steps you can take to address this

FAQs about enlarged prostates

What is an enlarged prostate? An enlarged prostate is a condition where the prostate gland enlarges, causing discomfort. This can cause several different symptoms including urinary problems, such as frequent urination and difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream. The increased size of the prostate gland may also cause pain in certain positions, during sexual intercourse, or when ejaculating. It may also result in difficulty with bowel movements and sleep. How does one know if they have an enlarged prostate?