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Experts say nocturia can raise fall risk and may be tied to sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and more (Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but repeated trips could signal underlying issues,<\/a> health experts warn.<\/p>\n Waking up more than once a night to urinate can meet the clinical definition of nocturia, which affects about half of adults over 50 and becomes more common with age, according to a recent StudyFinds report.<\/a> The International Continence Society\u2019s formal definition of nocturia includes even one nighttime trip, but frequency, disruption and a change from a person\u2019s usual pattern all matter.<\/p>\n “Everyone has a baseline of what\u2019s normal urinary frequency for them,” Dr. Ali Dabaja, a urologist at\u00a0Henry Ford Health in Michigan, told the outlet. “But if you wake at least twice<\/a> to go to the bathroom during eight hours of sleep, that\u2019s considered\u00a0nocturia.”<\/p>\n Nocturia isn’t simply a bladder issue, according to Dr. Jeffrey Chester, a licensed physician and medical director of The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center in Hawaii.<\/p>\n “A change in nighttime urinary patterns is definitely worth mentioning to a physician or healthcare provider, especially when it begins suddenly, becomes more frequent, or disrupts a person’s sleep,” Chester told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n LiveNOW\u2019s Anna Marsick speaks with Dr. Brigitte Steger, a senior lecturer in modern Japanese studies at the University of Cambridge, about how sleep habits vary across cultures and ways to improve the quality of your sleep and get better rest.<\/p>\n Alcohol and caffeine intake, the amount and timing of fluid consumption, and certain medications can all contribute, he added.<\/p>\n Waking up once isn’t a cause for concern, agreed Catherine Darley, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Skilled Sleeper<\/a> in Seattle.<\/p>\n JUST 10 MINUTES OF DAILY FLOOR EXERCISES MAY IMPROVE BALANCE AND AGILITY, STUDY FINDS<\/a><\/p>\n But more than once can be “concerning,” she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n Experts note that it can raise the risk of falls<\/a>, especially for those with mobility or balance challenges. Research shows two or more nightly trips to the bathroom are linked to a higher risk of fall-related injuries, StudyFinds reported.<\/p>\n Sleep disorders can also be a factor, Darley said, including obstructive sleep apnea<\/a>, which can affect hormones involved in suppressing urine production overnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n Restless legs syndrome could also contribute to nighttime urination and is more common with age, Darley added.<\/p>\n OLDER ADULTS TAKING 5 OR MORE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FACE HIGHER RISK OF DEATH, STUDY FINDS<\/a><\/p>\n She advised starting with your primary care provider to look for an underlying cause, and checking in with doctors and pharmacists to see if medications could be involved in frequent bathroom trips.\u00a0<\/p>\n In some cases, they could adjust the timing to prevent late-night wake-ups.<\/p>\n Other issues could be the cause, too, according to StudyFinds, including diabetes, an overactive bladder, an enlarged prostate<\/a> and fluid buildup.<\/p>\n For some people, simple habits can help, including not drinking for roughly two hours before bedtime and stopping alcohol<\/a> about three hours before bed, Darley said.<\/p>\n She also suggested keeping floors clear of rugs and clutter, using gentle amber lighting, sitting on the edge of the bed before standing to avoid getting dizzy \u2014 and installing grab bars for extra support.<\/p>\n LINK: Get updates and more at foxnews.com.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sleep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/abz7c95snp2kh42o.jpg\")
Sleep culture and different ways to get better rest<\/a> <\/p>\n