Frequent urination at night

KINDLY let me know what could be the cause of my frequent urination at night. I am a 65-year-old man.

— Rauf (by SMS)

Frequent night urination (Nocturia) can be caused by many factors. It’s a common condition, especially in older adults, and is often a sign of an underlying health issue rather than just a normal part of aging.

Causes can range from sleep disorders and increased urine production (nocturnal polyuria) to bladder problems (like an enlarged prostate or overactive bladder) and fluid retention. The number one reason is a UTI (urinary tract infection).

It is the irritation, itching, and urge to relieve that make one take a trip to the bathroom. For men over 40, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer are the reasons to get up in the night multiple times to urinate. It is not just a tremendous amount of urine one has to pass. The compression of the urethra caused by the enlarged prostate can lead to incomplete voiding.

Going to the bathroom at odd hours cannot be postponed or tolerated if one has BPH or prostate cancer. Getting relieved is a good thing.

It will also avoid urinary tract infections due to stagnant urine, which could travel up to the ureter and the kidneys.