DR Zoe Williams helps a reader who is wondering if‘It’s normal to have to go to the bathroom more often at night as you get older.
Dr Zoe is our resident doctor and is here to help you.
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Q: I’m a 58-year-old man and I think I’m in good shape. But for the last 12 months, I’ve woken up to pee.
This doesn’t happen every night. I also find that when I wake up my mouth is very dry and I need to drink, which could be making things worse.
A: It is not uncommon for men in their 40s and 50s to urinate once a night, and men in their 60s and 70s to urinate twice a night.
Benign prostate enlargement is a common cause of men needing to urinate more as they age.
Other common symptoms include difficulty starting to urinate and feeling like you haven’t completely emptied your bladder.
Prostate cancer is a rarer cause, but has the same symptoms.
What you’re describing isn’t unusual, but if you’re worried it’s worth getting an online consultation or seeing your GP.
There are a few other reasons why you might urinate at night, and you may need to eliminate them.
A bladder or urinary tract infection can increase the need to pee, as can conditions such as high blood pressure and certain types of heart disease.
Dry mouth may be unrelated and caused by breathing (or snoring) through your mouth at night.
But a condition like diabetes can cause an increased need to urinate, dry mouth, and increased thirst.
TIP: Cooking fats add extra fat and calories to your food.
Olive oil is generally a healthier option than saturated fat sources such as lard, ghee, coconut oil and vegetable oils.
Try steaming or grilling food.
Important tips to prevent that ‘little one’ from leaving
If you’re struggling with incontinence, Clare said there are some things you can do to help manage it.
Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles: Having a strong and flexible pelvic floor will help you hold on when you need it most.
Make sure you’re doing your Kegels correctly: Performing a pelvic floor contraction correctly is essential
Take care of your bladder: Keep warm and warm, and reduce your intake of bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol.
Speak to your doctor for support: If you are experiencing urine leakage or notice that you are urinating more frequently during the day or night, which is affecting your daily life, seek support from your GP. You don’t have to suffer in silence.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
