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Prostate health

Why do I keep waking up at night to urinate?

Waking to urinate (nocturia) in men is often due to an enlarged prostate, but can also come from evening fluid or alcohol, diabetes, heart or kidney issues, or sleep apnoea, so persistent cases should be assessed.

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Nocturia, getting up more than once a night to urinate, becomes more common with age. In men, an enlarged prostate (BPH) is a frequent cause because it interferes with bladder emptying. But it is not the only one.

Other contributors include drinking large amounts of fluid, caffeine, or alcohol in the evening, poorly controlled diabetes, heart failure or leg swelling that shifts fluid when you lie down, kidney issues, certain medications including some diuretics taken late, and obstructive sleep apnoea, which is strongly linked to nocturia and to snoring and daytime tiredness.

Simple steps like reducing evening fluids, caffeine, and alcohol can help. See a doctor if nocturia disrupts your sleep or is worsening, especially with excessive thirst, leg swelling, breathlessness, snoring with daytime sleepiness, or urinary symptoms, so the underlying cause can be identified and treated.

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