Exercise decreases urination at night

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MunichNocturnal urination is an annoying evil that mainly affects older men. US researchers have now found out that a very simple remedy is apparently already helping the afflicted against the disturbances of the peace: regular exercise!

Loss of quality of life

The reasons for urinating at night (nocturia) are different: Basically, both urological causes and excessive urine production can be behind it. However, the women and men affected have one thing in common: their quality of life suffers. As you get less sleep at night from going to the toilet, you are often very tired during the day and have trouble concentrating. The risk of falling also increases.

Researchers at the University of Maywood, Illinois, have collected data from 28,404 men with a mean age of 63 years. All were participants in a large cancer study, for which the participants had regularly provided information about their lifestyle and prostate-related complaints (such as nocturnal urination), among other things, since 1993. One in three of them had nocturia.

35 percent less severe nocturia

When comparing the data, the researchers found that physically active participants were less likely to develop nocturia. Study participants who were physically active (swimming or fast walking) for at least an hour a week reduced their risk by 13 percent. Severe nocturia, a form in which those affected have to go to the toilet at least three times at night, hit athletic participants 35 percent less.

This connection also existed for men who suffered from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - that is, benign prostate enlargement. BPH is often accompanied by a nocturnal urge to urinate because the enlarged prostate narrows the urethra so that not all of the urine can be drained from the bladder. As a result, it is “noticeably” filled again after a short time.

Protect various factors

The researchers suspect that various factors interact through physical activity to prevent the urge to urinate at night. Sporty men are less likely to be overweight and less likely to suffer from inflammatory processes in the body. And that has a positive effect on the prostate, among other things. According to the researchers, however, it is important to do a lot of sport throughout your life. It is not enough to have moved a lot by the age of 40. Those who only sit on the couch in old age are more likely to have problems - including with their bladder.

Do not be ashamed, consult a doctor

Since nocturia can be very distressing, those affected should not hesitate to consult a doctor. This is especially important because serious illnesses such as prostate cancer can be behind the symptoms. If the cause is known, medication or targeted bladder training can help. (jb)

Source: Wolin KY et al .: "Physical Activity and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-Realted Outcomes and Nocturia"; The Official Journal of the American Sports Medicine. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise. 10/21/2014

Tags:  prevention menopause prevention