Daily intake of water can safely be decreased by 25 %.
Visit to the doctor
If a person is having nocturia with any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, he/she must visit a specialist doctor called urologist. The doctor may ask for a few tests of urinary system to identify the underlying cause of nocturia and advises treatment accordingly. Once the underlying cause is identified, the treatment for the cause is required. In addition, specific medications may be prescribed by the specialist doctor to suppress nocturia.
Fluid intake should be restricted to decrease the frequency of nocturia.
Prevention of nocturia
Lifestyle changes:
Few lifestyle changes may be helpful in decreasing the signs and symptoms of nocturia.
- Restricted fluid intake – Fluid intake should be restricted to decrease the frequency of nocturia. The individual should try to avoid drinking water after 5 or 6 p.m. Average daily water intake should also be kept in mind as per the advice of the doctor. Daily intake of water can safely be decreased by 25 %. In this way frequency of nocturia can be decreased over the ensuing days.
- Avoid caffeine, citrus juice, and alcohol – Alcoholic, citrus and caffeinated beverages tend to irritate the bladder and increase the frequency of nocturia. So these beverages should be avoided.
- If an individual is receiving a diuretic drug, he/she must take it in the morning or in the afternoon before 4 p.m.
- Maintain an ideal body weight – Increased body weight seems to aggravate the signs and symptoms of nocturia. Promoting weight loss in those individuals may improve symptoms.
- Smoking should be avoided.
- Regular physical exercise is helpful.
- Women should undertake an exercise schedule known as pelvic floor exercise. This exercise regimen helps women to increase the tone of the muscles around urinary bladder. This process strengthens the muscles and improves the signs and symptoms of nocturia.
- Underlying diseases like diabetes and others must be treated accordingly.
Support
Signs and symptoms of nocturia are often physically troublesome. Additionally, they often results in psychological stress and low self-esteem due to uncomfortable symptoms. Family members and people around the individual must provide mental support so that the individual can cope with the condition, learn new strategies to follow his/her normal routine and stay motivated to follow the self-care strategies. Family members of the individuals should be educated about possible causes and remedies of nocturia. They should also motivate the individual to continue with his/her normal day-to-day activities.
