Nocturia is the need to wake up at night to urinate — one or more times — and it’s different from simply getting up for water or a snack.
It’s not just about how much you drink — it’s about how your body handles fluids.
🔍 Common Causes of Nighttime Urination
Excess fluid before bed
Drinking too much in the 2–3 hours before sleep floods the bladder
Caffeine & alcohol
Both are diuretics — they make your kidneys produce more urine
Medications
Water pills (diuretics), some blood pressure meds, and antidepressants
Enlarged prostate (BPH)
Common in men over 50 — blocks urine flow, causes frequent urges
Bladder changes with age
Bladder holds less, signals more often
Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
High blood sugar increases urine production
Heart failure or swelling (edema)
Fluid from legs shifts to kidneys when lying down
Sleep apnea
Low oxygen triggers hormone changes that increase urination
🩺 Waking up once is normal. Waking 2+ times nightly? Worth investigating.
