Nocturia (Waking up to Pee at Night) - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should I consult if I am suffering from Nocturia?

A: Consult an Urologist.

Q: Do medications cause Nocturia?

A: Yes there are some medications called diuretics that can result in nocturia if they are consumed just before going to bed. Certain drinks like tea, coffee and alcohol can also cause nocturia.

Certain blood pressure medication causes water retention and this results in nocturia as the excess fluid gets excreted when a person lies flat.

Q: How should I evaluate if I have nocturia?

A: You should ask yourself the following questions and have some answers:

When did I first notice that I am waking up in nights? How many times do I wake up on an average every night? Is my nocturia associated with intake of tea, coffee or alcohol intake in the evenings? If you start a new medication – check if this is due the tablet Are there any other symptoms like the urinary stream being slow and it is taking longer than normal to pass urine? This may indicate enlargement of prostate gland. Is there any associated urgency with nocturia?

Q: Is Nocturia a symptom or a disease condition?

A: There is often a discussion on whether nocturia can be taken as a condition or a symptom of underlying condition. Nocturia is generally a symptom in most instances of an underlying condition. In certain types of nocturia the pathophysiological mechanisms seems to indicate that this is a a condition and needs treatment accordingly.

Q: What is incontinence?

A: It is the loss of control of bowel or bladder movement. There is a leakage of the urine which is involuntary and is often an embarrassing situation.

Q: How can I assess if I am suffering from Nocturia?

A: If you are losing sleep due to waking up in the night to relieve your bladder then it would be a good measure to keep a diary separately and asses the urine voided and number of times. This will also help your physician to understand the severity.