This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 夜中にトイレで起きるのはなぜ？｜原因・体の仕組み・対処法を詳しくやさしく解説
“I always wake up to go to the bathroom at night”
“I wake up many times a night”
“I can’t sleep soundly until morning…”
Are you having trouble with “nighttime toilet problems”?
Waking up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night is medically called nocturia and is experienced by many people regardless of their age or constitution.
Author
“I tend to write it off as “Maybe it’s because of my age,” but there’s a real reason🌙”
Is it normal to wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night?
In conclusion,
It’s not uncommon to get up to go to the bathroom at least once during the night.
However,
- Happens more than once
- Sleep is fragmented and painful
- During the daytime life is being disrupted
If this is the case,
this is a sign to reevaluate your physical condition.
How you wake up in the middle of the night with the urge to urinate
✔ Urine is produced even during sleep
Even while the human body is asleep,
the kidneys continue to produce urine.
Usually,
- At night, antidiuretic hormone is secreted
- Decreased amount of urine
- Remains stored in the bladder until morning
.
However, if this balance is disrupted,
you may easily wake up in the middle of the night with the urge to urinate.
Main causes of waking up in the bathroom at night
✔ ① How and when to drink water
The most common cause of nighttime awakening is water intake.
Especially susceptible to:
- Water/tea just before bed
- Caffeine (coffee/green tea)
- Alcohol
These are
diuretic and
increase urine output during the night.
Author
“A drink you drink with the intention of making you thirsty can affect you throughout the night.”
✔ ② Changes in the bladder due to aging
With age,
- Reduced amount stored in the bladder
- Feel the urge to urinate more easily
There is a tendency.
As a result,
people who were fine until morning when they were younger may start waking up in the middle of the night.
✔ ③ The quality of sleep is poor
If you don’t sleep well,
- Even the slightest urge to urinate will wake you up
- Awakening even when the urge to urinate is something you can actually hold back
This happens.
This is
- Stress
- Uneasy
- Disturbance of life rhythm
etc. are affected.
✔ ④ Coldness/changes in blood flow
When your body gets cold,
- Vessel constriction
- Excess water is more easily excreted as urine
As a result,
urine output may increase during the night.
In particular,
- Cold room
- Winter Field
- Cold feet
is easy to influence.
✔ ⑤ If illness is involved
If you frequently go to the bathroom during the night,
The following diseases may be related.
- Overactive bladder
- Prostatic hyperplasia (male)
- Diabetes
- Heart/kidney disease
- Anapnea during sleep syndrome
Author
“It may seem like a toilet problem, but it may be related to your overall condition.”
Checkpoints for people who wake up to use the toilet in the middle of the night
Please consider the following points.
- Are you drinking too much water before going to bed
- What are your caffeine and alcohol habits?
- Do your feet tend to swell during the day
- Are you having trouble sleeping
- Is the number of times you go to the toilet increasing?
These are
tips for nocturia.
What to do starting today
✔ ① Drink plenty of water during the day and less at night.
- Focus on hydration during the day
- Avoid eating 2-3 hours before bed
You don’t have to be completely patient, but
timing is important.
✔ ② Reconsider what you drink before bed
- Coffee/green tea → until evening
- Alcohol → Be conscious of amount and time
Such as hot water
It is also a good idea to switch to less irritating drinks.
✔ ③ Keep your body cool
- Keeps the abdomen, lower back, and ankles cool
- Use socks and thin coats
Measures against cold
are surprisingly effective in preventing nocturnal urination.
✔ ④ Adjust your sleeping environment
- Avoid using your smartphone before bed
- Dim the lighting
- Keep the bedroom quiet
When you sleep deeply,
you are less likely to wake up during the night.
Author
“Toilet countermeasures are also sleep countermeasures.”
Guidelines for visiting a hospital
In the following cases,
We recommend consulting with a urologist or internal medicine specialist.
- Wake up to go to the bathroom at least twice every night
- The number of times suddenly increased
- Pain and discomfort when urinating
- Frequent urination during the day
- Swelling, shortness of breath, strong thirst
Just knowing the cause will give you peace of mind.
Summary | Waking up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night is a physical sign
✨ Causes of using the toilet at night
→ Water, sleep, coldness, aging, physical condition
✨ It’s not uncommon for it to happen once
→ If it’s difficult or increases, review it
✨ Lifestyle improvement + visit a doctor if necessary
Author
“Sleepless nights are small messages from your body.
Now that you have realized this, you are taking good care of yourself🌙”
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