Frequent trips to the bathroom are keeping someone from sleeping through the night could be a sign of nocturia, which is a common cause of sleep loss, especially among older adults.

“We’re not talking about waking up once during the night, every few nights,” said Dr. Richard Vienne, Univera Healthcare vice president and chief medical officer. “Adults suffering from nocturia may awaken with the need to use the bathroom two to six times a night, every night.”

Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of those responding to a National Sleep Foundation poll of adults between the ages of 55 and 84 reported waking to use the bathroom at least a few nights per week. According to the foundation, most adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

Waking two times a night to use the bathroom disrupts sleep patterns which can result in daytime sleepiness, a condition that affects an estimated 20 percent of the population. Persons with excessive daytime sleepiness are at risk of motor vehicle and work-related incidents, and have poorer health than adults who are well-rested.

“Frequent trips to the bathroom at night could be a sign of a chronic disease, including heart disease, vascular disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or sleep apnea,” said Vienne. “Nocturia is more common among older adults because their bodies produce less of an anti-diuretic hormone that enables their bodies to retain fluid by producing more urine at night. Another reason for nocturia among the elderly is that the bladder tends to lose holding capacity as we age.”

The National Sleep Foundation offers these tips for those with symptoms of nocturia:

¯ Drink a normal amount of liquid, but do so earlier in the day.

¯ Cut down on any drinks in the last two hours before bed, especially alcohol, coffee or tea as these stimulate urine production.

¯ Keep a diary of how much a person drinks, what they drink and when. Such information may be helpful in identifying situations which may make the nocturia worse.

¯ Include in that diary a record of sleep habits as well as any daytime fatigue someone may be experiencing.

Vienne advises anyone experiencing symptoms of nocturia to consult with his or her physician. A doctor can assess for the possible cause of nocturia and order appropriate tests, referrals or treatments.