Your treatment for nocturia will depend on the cause. Nocturia can be divided into three main causes:
Nocturnal Polyuria – overproduction of urine at night
Global Polyuria – overproduction of urine during the day and night
Reduced bladder capacity
Your GP will advise you on conservative methods that may help to improve your symptoms. If these methods don’t show any further improvement then you may be offered medication depending on the cause of your condition.
Conservative Treatments
Bladder Diary/Retraining
It can be helpful to keep a diary for at least a week of your bladder voiding as this can help your healthcare provider identify any patterns. It is also useful to record your fluids and what you are drinking. Further information on Bladder Diary/Retraining.
Lifestyle, Fluids and Diet
A few small changes to your lifestyle could help to alleviate your nocturia symptoms. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks, especially late at night as these can have a diuretic effect and increase urine output at night. Avoid constipation as this can put pressure on a small bladder by eating a healthy, balanced diet with enough fibre. More advice on Lifestyle, Fluids and Diet.
Elevation of Legs
If your nocturia is caused by fluid distribution then it can be helpful to keep your legs elevated during the day as this will improve your circulation and help to avoid fluid collecting in your ankles and legs. This should hopefully help to decrease urine output at night.
Tibial Nerve Stimulation
Percutaneous Nerve Stimulation or PTNS as it is usually used to treat overactive bladder conditions. It can also be used to treat some nocturia patients, especially if frequent urination at night is impacting on quality of life.
Medicinal
Antispasmodic Medications
There are several medications available which can help prevent spasms of the bladder muscle, which can help reduce urgency and frequency; if you have issues with overactivity during the day and night these medications can help to calm the bladder. This is a group of medicines known as antimuscarinic or anticholinergic drugs. Below is a list of some medications that may be prescribed and links to more information.
- Darifenacin Hydrobromide
- Fesoterodine Fumarate
- Oxybutynin
- Oxybutynin Transdermal Patch
- Solifenacin Succonate
- Tolterodine
- Trospium Chloride
Desmopressin Acetate
Desmospressin is a hormone that helps to reduce urine output and treats nocturnal enuresis and nocturia. It works by mimicking the ‘anti-diuretic hormone’ , which helps your kidneys manage how much water should be in the body.
Diuretics
You may be prescribed a loop diuretic such a furosemide may be prescribed to help treat nocturia. These work by increasing urine output during the day in order that your body doesn’t produce so much urine at night. Loop diuretics aren’t currently licensed to treat nocturia but your GP or health practitioner may prescribe these on a clinical trial if they feel the benefits outweigh any of the side effects.
Further information and downloads can be found in the help and information section. Living with a bladder condition can affect you emotionally and socially; sometimes it can help to speak to others who understand your situation. The Bladder & Bowel Community Forum is available 24 hours today and will allow you to connect with those who share your condition. Start your own topic today or just follow one that interests you.
