One of the most common sleeping disorders in the UK is one that you have probably never heard of. It is called nocturia, or nighttime urination , and it affects older people disproportionately. One survey found that more than half of all men and women over the age of sixty complained of nocturia.
What causes it? For years, it was believed that an enlarged prostate was the only explanation for nighttime urination. That was until it was revealed that elderly women suffer from nocturia at pretty much the same rate as elderly men.
That means that doctors have no easy answers. Instead, they believe there are numerous contributing factors that include changes in the kidneys, the bladder, and changes in general sleeping patterns. All of these changes may have an effect on either urine production or the ability of the patient to determine when he needs to use the bathroom.
Why is nocturia a problem? The first and most obvious reason is because it affects a person's sleep. On average, an individual who suffers from chronic nocturia will get about an hour less sleep each night. This can be particularly hard on elderly people who need a full night's sleep to make it through the day.
What is the solution? Sleep disturbances associated with nocturia are most commonly caused by one or more of the following: excess fluids, excess caffeine, alcohol or medications. The first three are easy enough to correct, but a patient should always consult his doctor if he suspects his medication is affecting his sleep.