[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/why-am-i-always-running-to-the-bathroom-at-night\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/why-am-i-always-running-to-the-bathroom-at-night\/","headline":"Why am I always running to the bathroom at night?","name":"Why am I always running to the bathroom at night?","description":"Bergen Medical Associates expert explains the reasons for frequent nighttime urination \u2014 and why it should be addressed Men (and women) might feel the need to urinate more frequently as they age, explains Dr. Alec Schwartz, urologist at Bergen Medical Associates, who also offers information on how the condition can be treated. \u00a0Frequent urination at","datePublished":"2023-11-01","dateModified":"2024-01-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/author\/apolizzotto\/#Person","name":"Andrew Polizzotto","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/author\/apolizzotto\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6a3182f29699867ab1fc88c81cab4a18?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6a3182f29699867ab1fc88c81cab4a18?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bergen Medical Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/bma-logo-2.png","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/bma-logo-2.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/alexander-schwartz-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/alexander-schwartz-150x150.jpg","height":"150","width":"150"},"url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/why-am-i-always-running-to-the-bathroom-at-night\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":1139,"articleBody":"Bergen Medical Associates expert explains the reasons for frequent nighttime urination \u2014 and why it should be addressed Men (and women) might feel the need to urinate more frequently as they age, explains Dr. Alec Schwartz, urologist at Bergen Medical Associates, who also offers information on how the condition can be treated.\u00a0Frequent urination at night by both men and women \u2014 a condition known as nocturia\u00a0\u2014 is a frequent function of the aging process, studies show. But it also indicates any number\u00a0of other treatable conditions, according to\u00a0Alec Schwartz, MD, urologist at Bergen Medical Associates,\u00a0which has six offices throughout Bergen County.While the need to urinate at night is experienced by both men and women, \u201cone unique cause of this in men is related to the fact that they have a prostate, a gland which supports both urination and reproduction in males,\u201d Dr. Schwartz said. \u201cA hollow organ that surrounds the base of the urethra, the prostate is shaped like a doughnut and often starts growing beginning in a man\u2019s 40s. Urine leaves the bladder through the urethra, but as the prostate grows in size and the doughnut \u2018hole\u2019 surrounding the urethra gets narrower, the\u00a0bladder\u00a0has to work harder to squeeze urine through the middle of the prostate,\u201d he noted. \u201cSymptoms of this type of obstruction can include slow urine flow, increased frequency of urination,\u00a0straining\u00a0to get\u00a0flow\u00a0started, and\/or the feeling of not emptying your bladder completely.\u201cMen can experience a sense of incomplete emptying and\/or an increased need to urinate because of an enlarged prostate, or because this process can actually lead the bladder to become overactive,\u201d Dr. Schwartz said. The condition, however, isn\u2019t a foregone conclusion for all men, he noted. \u201cMany men with enlarged prostates don\u2019t experience any of these symptoms, while others have smaller prostates and have significant problems. But we find that when we address the obstruction, most men will improve,\u201d he said.\u201cMany women also have problems with urgency, frequency and the need to urinate during the night,\u201d Dr. Schwartz confirmed. \u201cAs with men, diet can be a culprit \u2014 caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can irritate the bladder wall and lead to urinary frequency \u2014 as can intrinsic bladder overactivity and urinary tract infections (UTIs).\u201d In fact, women are more susceptible to developing UTIs than men based on their anatomy, but often are misdiagnosed as having recurring UTIs when they actually have overactive bladder, a condition that can be successfully treated with medication, Dr. Schwartz said.Addressing the Problem\u201cIf you\u2019re experiencing the discomfort of frequency, urgency and\/or incomplete emptying of the bladder, a number of tests can help determine the cause,\u201d Dr. Schwartz explained. \u201cAlthough it\u2019s a common condition, it can nonetheless lead to more serious issues if left untreated. For example, the bladder can start retaining more and more urine over time and the person won\u2019t even know it because the kidneys will accommodate the\u00a0problem; in severe cases, it can cause renal\u00a0failure down the road.\u201cOne of the most important tests we do in the office is a urinalysis, through which we\u2019ll test the patient\u2019s urine for red and white blood cells and the byproducts of a bacterial infection; if any measures are positive, we\u2019ll do further evaluation,\u201d he noted. \u201cAnd an ultrasound, which is performed on the patient both with a full bladder and then again after they urinate, will measure how much urine remained in their bladder after emptying and help us determine next steps.\u201dMales \u201cshould have a rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA)\u00a0test annually to screen for prostate cancer,\u201d Dr. Schwartz advised, pointing out, however, that a PSA score over the \u201cnormal\u201d level of 4 doesn\u2019t automatically show the presence of cancer.\u201cThe prostate gland makes PSA, so an enlarged prostate will trigger a higher PSA score,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe PSA may also be elevated if the patient is experiencing urinary retention, has inflammation from a UTI or irritation from a catheter, has new onset diabetes that\u2019s not under control, or\u00a0has another inflammatory\u00a0condition like pneumonia. There\u2019s a range of acceptable PSA scores depending on the patient\u2019s age, family history and PSA score the previous year.\u201dSeveral proven medications are available to address the rate of urination and\/or sense of urgency or inadequate emptying, Dr. Schwartz said. \u201cThere are medications with few side effects that work to relax the bladder muscle so that the patient isn\u2019t going as frequently,\u201d he said. \u201cFor men with urinary issues caused by an enlarged prostate, a medication called Flomax relaxes the opening of the bladder neck, making it easier for the bladder to empty. And because constipation can also be a cause of urinary frequency or other issues, stool softeners may help.\u201dLifestyle changes also can help relieve symptoms, Dr. Schwartz added.\u201cReducing consumption of bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol and spicy food can make a difference,\u201d he explained. \u201cNot only can they cause irritation to the bladder and lead to these symptoms, but they\u2019re also diuretics that can increase the volume of urine produced, so they\u2019re a double whammy.\u201dAmong other helpful actions, \u201cKegel exercises can strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and help relieve bladder overactivity,\u201d Dr. Schwartz noted. \u201cIf you\u2019re waking up frequently to urinate at night, it\u2019s often related to fluid intake, so stop consuming liquids two to three hours before bedtime and try to urinate right before bed. And because stress can also cause urinary frequency, we recommend that patients try to reduce stress through exercise or other positive outlets.\u201cThe great thing about a practice like Bergen Medical Associates is that patients will be seen by outstanding primary care physicians who have direct access to specialists under the same roof, which streamlines the referral process,\u201d Dr. Schwartz explained. \u201cPatients can potentially be seen by a urologist or another specialist right after their primary care visit, which offers convenience and peace of mind.\u201dThose who need to run to the bathroom to urinate at night should know that they\u2019re not alone, Dr. Schwartz added.\u201cIt\u2019s a pretty common issue,\u201d he concluded, \u201cbut we hope that people experiencing any of these symptoms will come see a urologist, because it\u2019s likely that we can help you and significantly improve your quality of life.\u201dFor More InformationWith offices in Emerson, Paramus (two), Ridgewood, Northvale and Montvale, Bergen Medical Associates offers primary care and 12 areas of specialized care. Patients enjoy the \u201cone-stop shopping\u201d approach where so many medical services are provided under one umbrella. The multi-specialty group fosters an environment of collaboration among the physicians, which results in a seamless continuum of care for patients. For more information, contact us today or call\u00a0201-967-8221. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Why am I always running to the bathroom at night?","item":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/why-am-i-always-running-to-the-bathroom-at-night\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]