Few things interrupt your sleep more than having to crawl out of a warm bed to use the bathroom. That quick trip can be enough to break up your rest, and once you're awake, falling back asleep isn't always easy. At the same time, you don't want to lie there feeling uncomfortable either.
When it happens several times a night, the effects can build up fast. Interrupted sleep often leaves you groggy the next morning and can make it harder to get through the day.
If you find yourself waking up to pee often, it's worth figuring out why it's happening and what you can do to reduce those wake-ups. The good news is there are some simple adjustments you can try that may help you stay asleep longer and cut down on middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.
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What is nocturia?
Nocturia is a medical condition that causes you to wake up more than once per night to pee. It affects an estimated one in three adults over 30 and about half of people 65 and older.
There are many causes of nocturia, including drinking too much liquid before bed, consuming alcohol or caffeine at nighttime and taking diuretic medications. Certain medical conditions -- like bladder obstructions, diabetes and urinary tract infections -- can also contribute to nocturia. In other cases, people have nocturia simply because they've developed a habit of waking up and using the bathroom (although they might not necessarily need to go).
How many times is normal to urinate at night?
The frequency of nightly urination will vary from person to person. It's affected by numerous individual factors, including age, underlying conditions, pregnancy and fluid intake.
Most people should be able to get a full 6 to 8 hours of rest without waking up to pee, and experts advise that once per night is not necessarily something to worry about -- especially since it's so individual-based. However, if you're regularly waking up more than once, you're entering nocturia territory, and it might be cause for concern.
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