Up in the Night to Pee?

Over-hydrating can result in needing to get out of bed in the middle of the night to pee. Unfortunately, nocturia, or waking to empty in your bladder, compromises deep sleep.

Historically nocturia was a condition of pregnancy or advanced age.  Today it is as commonplace as the admonition to “drink two liters of water a day.” Might there be a connection?

For Dennis, a 42-year-old client, getting up to pee once or twice nightly was as routine as brushing his teeth. Like many people today, Dennis forced down more water than he really wanted.

Common sense invites you to question this contemporary “healthful” recommendation. When it’s hot, if you are exercising hard and/or you have kidney stones then yes, you need more water. But if you are sedentary and living in temperature-controlled environments, you may need less.

Thirst is your body’s way of letting you know that it’s time to drink. If you’re drinking more than your body needs, your urine will be pale and copious. (However, taking the B vitamin riboflavin causes urine to be bright yellow.) Inadequate hydration results in dark-colored and strong-smelling urine.

Many of my clients were drinking more fluid than they needed or were hydrating too late at night and so they were unnecessarily getting up in the night; with a few modifications they now enjoy uninterrupted sleep.

One way to check the condition of your kidney and bladder system is with  Facial Diagnosis . Look at skin directly under your eyes at the level of your lower eyelashes and if it’s puffy or swollen this often indicates overtaxed kidneys which can be from excessive fluid consumption.

Aim to hydrate earlier in the day. Track what time you can have your last cup of tea or glass of water before bed without overtaxing your kidneys. Also note the kinds of fluids that challenge your bladder’s holding capacity. Then if you feel thirsty before bed, enjoy a good swallow or two of water and note how that can be enough to quench your thirst.

Give it a try. Monitor the area directly under your eyes, your urine volume and color and your thirst. Then adjust as necessary. May these tips help you ascertain your specific liquid needs and enjoy a sound night’s sleep.

12 Responses to Up in the Night to Pee?

  1. Since I was pregnant with my first in 1978 and spent years breastfeeding 4 children, I have never been able to sleep more than 2-3 hours in a stretch and that is on a good night. (Even when I was hospitalized & given sleping pills I woke up.) I have to pee AND I am thirsty. My naturopath & I decided I am still getting quality sleep because I get one REM cycle in at a time. The only times it is a problem is if I can’t get back to sleep. We go to bed really early and most nights I manage to get 8-9 hours if I add together my cycles.

  2. Rebecca,

    Can you describe what ideal urine looks like? You describe the effects of too much and too little, but what should we be aiming for? (pardon the pun!)

    My understanding is that the less yellow the better….

  3. Hi Rebecca,

    I have had this problem for awhile now. I thought I was supposed to drink more water. I have started observing and monitoring myself and do not drink alot befor I go to bed. I am also taking into consideration other liquids I take everyday ; like tea, soup and smoothies.

    I appreciate your newsletter and information.

    Thank you!

  4. Since my son was born two years ago I’ve only been sleeping 3 hour stretches. And getting up in between to pee. I drink 2 litres a day. Probably more. I stop drinking at 5 or 6pm. The past 6 months have been worse. For 5 months I was getting up every 1 or 2 hours to pee. I discovered Interstitial cystitis. and after starting the diet I went back to gettin up every 3 or 4 hours. If I rinse my mouth with salt water or use Crest toothpaste (14% sodium) I get up more.
    I’m now wondering if it is my adrenal glands.
    Any other suggestions?
    Oh I did try drinking less but then I was getting salivary stones and one doctor said I might of Sjogren’s disease. But I haven’t figured out anything with that. I don’t have any of those major symptoms. Just a swollen gland after I eat. And now that I’m drinking 2 litres again it hasn’t been a problem…
    I need help! Too bad doctors aren’t helping… would love to hear any suggestions.
    Thanks

    • To support your kidney function (including bladder and adrenals) with diet, enjoy root vegetables, seaweed, meat and beans. Avoid stimulants, chilled or cold foods and beverages and excessive fluids. To fine tune to your specific needs, I’m available for a Diet Consultation.

  5. Dear Rebecca,
    Great Article! What ever happened to your face diet book? I was really looking forward to it! I have all your other books and reference them quite often.
    Cheers!

    Natasha

    • Thank you, Natasha,
      My book on Facial Diagnosis is still in the works. I hope to get it out this year and will announce it in my Newsletter.

  6. How does one go about rejuvenating the kidnies? Are their particular substances that one might consume or expose oneself to that kidies need to flush out? Do particular lifestyle practices help or hurt?

    Thank you!!

    • Rejuvenating and strengthening the kidneys involves supporting them (a good diet, rest, avoiding stress) and eliminating those things which tax them (sitting too long, standing too long, exposure to cold, eating cold or frozen foods, too much or too little salt, too much or too little fluid consumption). Also check out my article on the Thermal Properties .

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