Adult bedwetting and nocturia

Frequent urination at night, as well as bedwetting in adults, usually has different causes than similar problems in children. Among adults, bedwetting is known as nocturnal enuresis. Causes can vary – you can find out more about these below – however generally, frequent urination can mean that the body is producing more urine due to changes in certain hormone production, kidney problems, illness, or as a reaction to medication. This can lead to nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) or the need to go to the toilet one or several times during night - a condition known as nocturia. It should be noted that among the elderly it is normal to have to get up to urinate once or twice a night.

As we grow older, our bodies change. One of these changes is an increased need to go to the toilet to urinate. So if you are at a stage in life where you find yourself going to the toilet a couple of times during the night, this is normal. There are several different causes for this. A younger person can hold up to half a litre of urine, but as we age, this is normally reduced by about half as the bladder muscle becomes less elastic. 

Another factor that causes a pressing urge to urinate during the night as we age has to do with a decreased ability to concentrate urine during night. In turn, this results in large amounts of dilute urine. Total urine output over a 24-hour period doesn´t necessarily change - however as we grow older, more urine is produced at night compared to when we’re younger. The amount of water excreted via the kidneys is regulated by an antidiuretic hormone that signals to the kidneys to decrease the amount of urine produced. 

Nocturia and adult bedwetting can also happen when the body produces too much urine. Polyuria is excessive or abnormally large production or passage of urine, regardless of the time of day. A healthy adult produces an average of 1-2 litres of urine per 24 hours, depending on how much liquid you drink and eat and how much moisture the body releases. With polyuria, this amount is increased to 2.8 litres or more. Polyuria could be, for example, a symptom of diabetes however there are other possible causes of this condition. You should always contact your health care provider if you are unsure and in need of advice. 

The prostate gland often enlarges as men grow older. Because this gland surrounds the urethra, an enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra. This prevents the bladder from emptying properly, leading to more frequent urination at night.

Bladder problems such as urge incontinence where the person feels a sudden need to pass urine can cause nocturnal enuresis and nocturia. An overactive bladder can also cause nocturia.

People who have a heart condition suffer from less efficient circulation and one of the signs of this can be swelling around the lower legs. When the person affected lies down or raises their feet, as we do when sleeping or resting, the fluid collected around the lower legs enters the bloodstream and is removed by the kidneys. The result is an increased need to go to the toilet at night.

High levels of blood sugar increase thirst. Drinking more than usual leads to an increased need to urinate. High blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to release sugar into the urine which increases the amount of urine and in turn creates a need to urinate more often. 

Lifestyle-related behaviour can affect how much you urinate. For example, drinking large amounts of liquid. Caffeine and alcohol after dinner can also lead to a need to urinate at night.

There are several steps you can take to treat the symptoms of nocturia yourself. These include: 

 

Reduce the amount you drink before bedtime
Try not to drink too much, too late in the evening, without reducing your recommended daily fluid intake, which is 6-8 cups or 2 litres. It’s a case of when you drink rather than how much. 

 

Limit your caffeine intake
Coffee, tea and other drinks that contain caffeine can irritate the bladder and disrupt your sleep. Try to limit your intake of these. 

If you suffer from swollen ankles, try to sit or lie down with your legs raised in the air for about an hour during the day. Wearing support stockings can also help. 

Some medication can lead to increased urine production and nocturia. Ask your healthcare professional if this could be case. Under no circumstances should you stop taking any medication without consulting your doctor. Medicines and conditions connected to nocturia and nocturnal enuresis include:

 

Are there other factors that are disturbing your sleep? Is your bedroom at a comfortable temperature? Is it too light? Try to reduce the amount of naps you take during the day, if you do this. 

Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises are one of the most effective ways of improving and maintaining bowel and bladder functions. Many people also find bladder training useful.

If you are worried you might have prostate problems, talk to your doctor who will carry out an examination and discuss your treatment options. These range from medication to surgery.

 

There are different ways to treat and manage urge incontinence. These depend on the cause of the problem, which cannot always be identified. Treatment options include bladder retraining, pelvic floor muscle training and different types of medication. 

Regardless of the cause, severity or frequency of your bedwetting problems, TENA offers incontinence products to help you live your life as normally as possible. Our specially formulated range for night time incontinence includes TENA Lady Mini Night pads with triple protection and TENA Lady Pants NIGHT for even more security. In both our men and women’s ranges, you’ll find pants that protect against moderate to heavy bladder leakage. 

If you’re worried about other types of incontinence please consult a healthcare professional