If You Are Waking Up To Pee At Night, This Is What It Means
A standard advice that urologists across the globe give is not to hold your bladder for long. Yet, we all do it. The procrastination is more after we hit the sack. You just don’t want to get off your bed to pee. But, is it okay to hold your pee in the first place?
Every person’s body and its capacity to keep in urine are different. The amount of urine your body makes depends on your fluid intake and how hydrated your body is. The functional bladder capacity is determined by the size of the bladder and its sensitivity.
In any case, if you have the urge to urinate, you should go ahead, else the discomfort can range from anxiety to pain, which could ultimately result in a UTI (urinary tract infection). If you have taken this seriously and are not holding your pee in, it’s great. But wait! Do you often wake up in the middle of the night to urinate? Then, that is surely a cause for concern. Here’s why…
Why Does It Happen?
Well, increased blood flow to your kidney when you sleep can cause excess urine production.
Let’s examine the reasons why we wake up to pee at night.
1. Excess Fluid Intake
This is one of the most common reasons for peeing. The more you drink water, the more you urinate. Quite obvious, isn’t it? But, according to doctors, your last fluid intake should be two hours before your bedtime. Peeing just before you hop in the sack helps too.
2. Caffeine/Alcohol Close To Bedtime
Have you ever wondered why all the washrooms in pubs stink? Blame it on the alcohol. If you drink around the time you sleep, it can increase the urine in your body. It’s best to cut off alcohol at least three hours before bedtime.
3. Hormonal Deficiency
Your body needs a good amount of various hormones. The lack or excess of anything can wreak havoc on your body. Here, we are referring to an antidiuretic hormone that helps the kidneys control the fluid levels. If your body has a deficiency of this hormone, it results in frequent urination
4. Urinary Tract Infection
Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, holding your pee in for too long can cause UTI. You may feel the need to pee repeatedly to get over the burning sensation caused by the UTI.
5. Swollen Feet
A common problem post long hours of travel are swollen feet. But, if you find the lower part of your legs swollen all the time, it is definitely a cause for worry. The condition is referred to as edema. This fluid retention can create the need for frequent urination at night. Keeping your legs up for a few minutes can ensure the fluid in the lower part of your body is equally distributed. This will reduce the urge to pee a lot.
6. Diabetes
If you complained to your physician about frequent urination, (s)he might ask you to get a blood test for diabetes done. If you have diabetes, your body is likely to produce more urine to flush out the excess blood sugar. If this is the case, keep your blood sugar levels in check.
7. Enlarged Ovaries/Uterus
Cysts in your ovaries, uterine cancers, and a wide range of other conditions can enlarge your ovaries or uterus. These oversized organs can put pressure on your bladder and make you feel the need to pee more.
8. Bladder Prolapse
A few women experience frequent urination, particularly after childbirth. This is because of a weakened bladder, which can slip into a region that puts more pressure and causes the urge to pee all the time.
Now that you know all the probable reasons for your frequent urination at night, it’s time to pay your doctor a visit. Is there anything else you want to know? Do leave your comments in the box below.
