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Going to the toilet at night
Having to go to the toilet at night is called nocturia. It can happen to both men and women, especially as we get older. By the time we reach 80 years of age, more than 50 per cent of us will wake to go to the toilet at least twice a night. For more detail read the brochure Nocturia - Going to the Toilet at Night.
Nocturia can easily make people tired during the day, and they can become clumsy or forgetful. If you need to go the toilet at night you may need to check what medicines you are currently taking and your sleeping pattern. Check to see if you have any fluid retention, especially around your ankles. Your doctor or health professional may suggest medicine for the type of nocturia you have.
There are three main types of nocturia and you can have more than one at a time. They are:
- Nocturnal Polyuria - occurs when you produce excessive amounts of urine overnight (up to a third of your daily load)
- Reduced Bladder Capacity - occurs when your bladder shrinks and cannot hold all your urine
- Diurnal Polyuria - is more frequent visits to the toilet during both day and night
You can get treatment for all three conditions, so talk to your doctor or a continence advisor about your concerns.
Page last updated 22 Sep 2008