Frequent Nighttime Urination Could Be Linked to Vein Issues

Sleep is a much-needed part of life. Having your bladder wake you up numerous times per night is less than ideal and not very restful.

Frequenting the bathroom during the night is often a sign of a potentially serious underlying medical condition so it’s important to pay attention. As a result, you may also experience leg cramps, fatigue, and even edema.

Most people during the day are up and walking around, standing, sitting – moving. They are dependent on their legs for mobility. For a person with venous insufficiency they may end up laying down more, the hydrostatic pressure that results from being in a vertical position can force water and protein found in their weakened veins to leak into the surrounding tissue.

This is the reason patients who experience nighttime urination also report swelling in their ankles and legs. That swelling is often worse towards the ankle and foot and gradually feels worse throughout the day.

When you lay down to sleep at night, the lack of hydrostatic pressure in the horizontal position can then trick the kidneys into believing there is an excess of fluid in the blood and arteries.

After this mixture of blood and serum is filtered through the kidneys, it is stored in the bladder as urine, alerting the brain of the need to urinate as it becomes full. Throughout the night, as more and more fluid accumulates, the need to use the rest room grows. It can be as many as six or seven times a night in severe cases.

Its is normal for you to experience a certain amount of fluid retention throughout the day, and it is even normal to have to use the bathroom once or twice during the night. But, if you are going to the bathroom at night more often than this, then it may be time to address whether or not you have venous insufficiency.

Left unaddressed, not only do you put yourself at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis, a serious condition that can result in fatal embolisms, but you’ll also notice small interruptions in your cognitive abilities, shortened attention span or difficulty concentrating, as well as irritability from lack of sleep.

The good news is that varicose veins and venous insufficiency are conditions that are easily addressed through a wide range of minimally invasive treatments available today. In addition, certain lifestyle adjustments can make a huge difference in your comfort level and oftentimes alleviate many of the symptoms experienced with venous disorders.

If you have noticed a change in your nighttime bathroom habits and have experienced any other symptoms associated with problems in your vein health, then please contact Dr. Zuzga, D.O. of the West Florida Vein Center by calling (727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.