can't sleep

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,

Scott Olson

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

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

Mailbag: The TRUTH About Cell-Killing Chemo

“Why does chemo also destroy good cells?” Martha from Kansas City, MO Hi Martha, We tend to think of “chemotherapy” as a single treatment. But the truth is, there are various types of chemotherapies. And they work in different ways. In general, chemotherapy destroys healthy cells, not just the cancerous ones, because it’s a non-specific or...

Read This

POWERFUL Herbal "Antidote" DEFIES Aging

Ginseng is the very definition of an “ancient cure.” In fact, you can find the potent herb mentioned in 2,000-year-old Chinese books as a treatment for a wide range of illnesses. But what’s made ginseng stand the test of time… remaining nearly as popular TODAY as it was hundreds of years ago… is its apparent...

Read This

Alarming Heartburn Side Effect REVEALED

After every meal, millions of Americans pop a pill. Folks are convinced that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec or Nexium are necessary to head off heartburn. But what these drugs REALLY do is liable to shock you. To begin with, they block your body from properly digesting your food. But that’s just the...

Read This

Do this TODAY for Less Pain TOMORROW

Once you pass a certain age, the medical ads start haunting you. You find them shoved into your mailbox. Then they show up in your email. And you even start spotting them hovering in the corner of every website you visit. It seems EVERYONE is trying to sell you a drug to relieve your arthritis...

Read This

10 Minute Memory Trick [IMMEDIATE Results!]

Our healthcare system has a fatal flaw. It’s set up to react to illness, NOT prevent it. So, doctors are stuck in a losing game of whack-a-mole. They spend all their energy and time scrambling to knock down symptoms. That means prescriptions for preventative care are virtually nonexistent. And that’s certainly the case with memory...

Read This

Unexpected Bone Broth Benefits

I was in a small grocery store in the mountains recently, and noticed that they had bone broth for sale. I thought, “Wow, we’ve come a long way!” And that’s a good thing. Here’s why… Bone broth used to be nearly impossible to find in modern-day grocery stores. But to eke out as much nutritional...

Read This

Garden Hack Boosts Cognitive Function

You can’t turn on the T.V. or flip through a newspaper anymore without seeing a new drug breakthrough they claim will FINALLY rid humanity of our aging brain issues. These medicines hit the market promising miracles. But it typically isn’t long before we start seeing their dark side. Meanwhile, a safe, natural remedy to boost...

Read This

Mailbag: STAY Healthy in a Senior Home

“We’ve unfortunately had to put my 90-year-old mother in a home. I’m so worried she’s going to get sick (especially with COVID still around). Is there anything I can do to help protect her?” Sam from Prattville, AL Hi Sam, Your situation sounds familiar. My father is in a senior living center with about 300...

Read This

Better Memory with this "Nose" Trick (226% BOOST!?)

You have five primary senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. (The sixth one doesn’t count. Only your Aunt Mable claims that one.) But you’ve likely noticed that only your sight and hearing get tested when you visit the doctor. Your senses of taste, touch, and smell are almost entirely ignored. And ignoring one of...

Read This

This Drink Could DESTROY Your Liver [ALERT]

People often ask me what’s the WORST thing for their health. Cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs often pop to mind. But everyone KNOWS those things are bad. But there’s in fact, a popular “harmless” daily habit that has HUGE health consequences. And it can be every bit as bad as a cigarette or booze habit....

Read This