Nutritionist Boticaria García: "The frequent need to urinate at night is abnormal and is associated with increased mortality."

Nocturia refers to the need to urinate frequently at night. Although it can be determined by several factors, experts advise investigating the causes of its occurrence. It tends to be more common in people 60 years of age or older , a normal condition, as it is caused by the decrease in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) as the body ages. However, urinating two or three times at night if you are younger or have other symptoms could be a negative sign for your health, as Boticaria García explains.

The impact on quality of life and mortality

The science communicator and nutritionist took advantage of her visit to the Zapeando set to talk about this common problem that sometimes hides serious consequences. "The frequent need to urinate at night that interrupts sleep is considered abnormal when you have to get up two or three times and is associated with a decreased quality of life and an increased mortality rate," she revealed.

This frequent need to urinate at night has its main impact on sleep. This is what also diminishes the quality of life, as the expert mentions. Sometimes, many people prefer to hold back the urge to avoid getting out of bed and losing sleep; however, this could also be a mistake with consequences for the renal system. Boticaria assures that "going to the bathroom to urinate at night isn't harmful if you go back to sleep afterwards."

Therefore, attention must be focused primarily on sleep disturbances. Poor sleep due to nocturia can cause, according to the speaker , "sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, changes in mood and daily performance. There is a greater risk of falls, especially in older people. It also increases the likelihood of domestic accidents and fractures, and can be an indicator of other health problems, such as diabetes, heart failure , urinary tract infections, and prostate problems."

Why does nocturia occur?

Although it has been mentioned that this condition is more common in older adults, it is important to find a solution to prevent it from disrupting sleep and, therefore, reducing rest and, consequently, quality of life. If you have to get up more than twice a night to go to the bathroom , a medical evaluation is required to rule out conditions such as prostate problems in men, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart failure, neurological disorders, bladder problems, and urinary tract infections.

Furthermore, even if any underlying medical condition persists, it's important to know that daily habits can also cause nocturia . These include drinking too much fluid before bed or consuming caffeinated or alcoholic beverages that stimulate urine production. The solution, therefore, would be to change these habits.

However, nocturia also occurs at times in life when it's normal, such as during pregnancy. Women in the third trimester have an increased need to urinate at night , as they retain fluid during the day, and the pressure of the uterus against the bladder also encourages this fluid expulsion more frequently. If you experience other symptoms, it's important to note that you should seek expert advice.