Why do I wake up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night? ｜Detailed and easy explanation of causes, body mechanisms, and countermeasures

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

There is a mechanism called

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🌙”