Definition:
Nocturia pertains to a condition characterized by excessive urination at night.
Patients with nocturia constantly need to get up during the night to urinate and
may thus suffer from sleep distortions. While it can occur in children and
younger adults, nocturia more typically affects the elderly.
Diagnosis:
Nocturia can be diagnosed through the following diagnostic tools: routine
laboratory tests; complete blood count; sedimentation rate; urinalysis;
chemistry pane; as well as urine culture and sensitivity.
Treatment:
Patients with nocturia are usually advised to reduce fluid or water intake
before bedtime. Other treatment options for nocturia include: taking diuretic
medicines in the morning; drinking normal liquid intake but earlier in the day;
as well as avoiding drinking late at night, particularly diuretics such as beer,
coffee, or tea.
Symptoms and Signs:
The most common symptom of nocturia is frequent night urination or the need
to urinate repeatedly throughout the night.
Causes:
Nocturia can be easily attributed to drinking too much liquid before going to
bed. However, it more likely results as a symptom of a more serious disorder,
such as: diabetes mellitus; congestive heart failure; diuretic use; cystitis;
obstructive sleep apnea; benign prostatic hyperplasia; urinary incontinence;
diabetes insipidus; hypercalcemic nephropathy; prostatic cancer; acute
pyelonephritis; and chronic renal failure.
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