The 'golden' solution from traditional medicine to combat nocturia (frequent nighttime urination).
Nocturia (frequent urination at night) is a fairly common condition, often related to physiological dysfunction or underlying medical conditions; it is particularly prevalent in people over 50. Besides causing insomnia, nocturia also affects quality of life and poses potential risks to overall health.
Causes of nocturia (frequent urination at night)
In healthy individuals, sleep typically lasts 6-8 hours without interruption for urination. However, people with nocturia (frequent nighttime urination) often wake up multiple times, disrupting sleep and impacting their quality of life.
From middle age onwards, kidney function begins to decline, reducing the ability to reabsorb urine. Statistics show that approximately 50% of middle-aged people and up to 90% of elderly people suffer from nocturia (frequent urination at night), with the rate steadily increasing.
This prolonged condition can easily lead to fatigue, weakness, and seriously affect physical and mental health, as well as daily life. If it is due to an underlying medical condition and is not treated promptly, the patient may face many dangerous complications.
There are many causes of nocturia, which can be divided into two specific groups as follows:
- Pathological causes of nocturia: Physiological changes due to age, prostate enlargement, neurological disorders, sleep disorders, heart failure, type 2 diabetes.
- Non-pathological causes of nocturia: Psychological instability, pregnancy, old age, diet. According to traditional Chinese medicine, nocturia is mostly due to kidney problems (inability to retain urine at night), weak qi and blood (causing frequent urination and urinary incontinence), heart and spleen problems (causing restless sleep and easy awakening due to bladder stimulation), and lung problems (inability to regulate the urinary tract). A coherent and logical explanation is required.
Frequent nighttime urination: Don't take it lightly.
Frequent nighttime urination causes patients to wake up repeatedly, disrupting sleep and leading to restless, shallow sleep. In the long term, this seriously affects health: fatigue, nervous system weakness, decreased concentration, and consequently, reduced work and daily activity performance.
For the elderly – a group with weakened bones and joints, poor eyesight, and often a groggy state after waking up – moving around in the dark poses many risks.
More dangerously, nocturia, often referred to as a "silent killer" in older adults, can triple the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and even death.
Traditional medicine methods put an end to the worry of nighttime urination.
At Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital, the treatment of nocturia using traditional medicine combined with physiotherapy and rehabilitation is showing positive, safe, and sustainable results. This method not only helps reduce the number of times to urinate at night but also improves sleep quality, promotes mental well-being, and enhances overall health. Specifically, the treatment techniques include:
Acupuncture and hydroacupuncture: Help regulate the functions of internal organs and meridians.
Massage and acupressure:It promotes relaxation, improves blood circulation, and supports restful sleep.
Using traditional medicine:It has the effect of nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, and consolidating fluids, helping to reduce nighttime urination and improve sleep quality.
Combine a healthy diet and lifestyle as directed by your doctor to maintain the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.
The case of patient Vo Tung Lan (60 years old, residing in Truong Thi ward, Vinh City) is a typical example. He was admitted to the hospital with weakness on the right side of his body, accompanied by urinating 6-7 times per night, causing him prolonged insomnia and constant fatigue and lethargy. After 5 acupuncture sessions combined with traditional medicine, the number of times he urinated at night decreased to 3-4 times; after 10 sessions, it was only 2-3 times per night. By the end of the treatment, he only urinated 1-2 times per night – a level considered normal for people over 50 years old. Notably, there were nights when he slept soundly until morning without having to wake up to urinate, his spirits were lifted, and his quality of life improved significantly.
According to records at Internal Medicine Department 7 – Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital, hundreds of patients are admitted each year for treatment of nocturia (frequent urination at night), and the success rate of treatment is over 90%.
Nocturia, if left untreated, can lead to complications such as chronic insomnia, physical weakness, and affect the cardiovascular system and blood pressure. Therefore, when experiencing persistent nocturia, patients should not hesitate or endure it but should seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive timely treatment.
According to recommendations from urology specialists, to effectively prevent and treat nocturia (frequent urination at night), patients should: Limit fluid intake in the evening, avoid diuretic foods or spicy and hot dishes; Maintain regular physical activity, and practice pelvic floor exercises to improve bladder control and reduce symptoms of nocturia and frequent urination.
