
The REAL Reason You Can’t Sleep
James, my patient, looked tired and had bags under his eyes.
He was waking up a lot to go to the bathroom, and hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in ages.
Sounds familiar, right?
He was waiting for me to tell him he had a prostate problem…. maybe even cancer.
While it’s true that your prostate can keep you up at night, very often the problem is something else.
And there’s a good chance you’ve never been properly diagnosed.
Nocturia, or nocturnal polyuria, is the medical term for waking at night to use the bathroom.
In men, the prostate gland is a common reason for nocturia–but it is far from the only reason.
Here are the most common reasons both men and women wake at night having to go to the bathroom:
- Sleep Apnea: About 50% of people with sleep apnea also have frequent nighttime urination. Scientists say it happens when the heart is stressed, and it puts out a hormone called atrial natriuretic peptide which increases urine production. You know you have sleep apnea when you snore loudly, and you wake up gasping for air: see your doctor if you notice this happening.
- Edema (often due to congestive heart failure): Most people know they have congestive heart failure. As fluid pools in the legs during the day, it returns to the body when we lay down. This means the kidneys need to get rid of the excess water and you feel the need to urinate.
- Diabetes: 29 million Americans have diabetes, but 1 in 4 people don’t know they have it. When there is more sugar in blood stream than the body needs, it is dumped in the urine (along with more water) causing people with diabetes to urinate often (both day and night).
- Drugs, Alcohol, and Caffeine: Alcohol and caffeine are well-known for increasing urination–avoid them at night if you can. Many drugs increase urination–if this is a problem, talk with your doctor about switching prescriptions.
- UTI/Prostate Infections: Both urinary tract infections and prostate infections can increase urination (both day and night). Sometimes infections are hidden (no pain or symptoms). If you suspect infections, then see your doctor for diagnosis.
- Obesity: For unknown reasons, obesity leads to increased urination (especially at night). If you are carrying around a few extra pounds, find a program to help you lose weight.
Yes, nocturia may be caused by prostate problems, but there can be many other reasons. Make sure your doctor gives you a full work-up.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...