Press Release
Wake to wee: It’s not just the elderly, younger adults are also affected
Getting up twice or more nightly could point to darker underlying health issues
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 February 2020: To the average Malaysian, waking up nightly for a toilet call is perhaps a norm: be it during cooler, rainy nights or whether it’s during the hot and dry season when consuming more water before bedtime to keep cool and hydrated through the night.
While waking up once for nighttime urination is not problematic as such, doing so twice or more nightly can be more than simply bothersome to the individual’s sleep patterns. This necessity of waking up one or more times to void is medically known as nocturia and can affect both men and women.
According to a population-based study on the prevalence of nocturia among Malaysian adults carried out from May to September 2019 the overall prevalence of nocturia (with at least one void per night) was 57% with an increasing prevalence in older population.
More than half (56%) of the 4,616 respondents believe that nightime urination is not a medical condition.
And even more alarming is that among the 2,646 respondents with nocturia, 62% held to the belief that nocturia is not a medical condition and 74% of them have not sought medical attention for their condition.
While almost 40% of survey respondents with nocturia identified their excessive water consumption in the late evening as the most prevailing practice, there are possible underlying and deeper health issues with nocturia that are cause for concern including, hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease.
Contrary to common misconception, nocturia affects not only the elderly but younger adults too. According to a 2017 research report on nocturia published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2% to 18% of those aged between 20-40 years are affected by clinically relevant nocturia (night-time urination of twice or more nightly).
The 2019 Malaysian population-based study found that 66% of respondents aged 31 to 40) wake up to pee at least once nightly and up to 58% of those aged 51 and older already display symptoms of nocturia. Evidently, nocturia does not discriminate age!
About 60% of those affected by sleep disturbance due to nocturia experience fatigue, 43% have trouble concentrating and 41% experience bad mood, which can lead to reduced productivity, immunity and quality of life. It can also cause depression, affect cognitive and memory impairment and increase risks of Alzheimer’s disease. Those with nocturia are also at risk of falling, prone to traffic accidents and occupational hazards, and if it escalates further, it can put them at risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The results of the 2019 population-based survey indicates that of the 2,646 respondents with nocturia, 19% have cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, heart failure or hypotension, 17% snoring problems and 14% have metabolic disorders including diabetes and thyroid disorders.
Those with grave concerns of possible nocturia should seek medical advice from health care professionals to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
For those who have nocturia, the good news is that it is treatable. The silver lining is that one of the first-line treatments for nocturia is making concrete lifestyle changes that can prevent the onset of more serious health problems.
- Eat and drink less at before bedtime: Minimise food and liquid consumption two hours before bedtime especially alcohol and caffeine
- Keep a record: Monitor your daily routine and habit of uriniating and of how tired you are during the day as a result of waking up frequently
- Toilet call before bedtime: Habitually empty the bladder before bedtime
- Exercise more: Increase exercise and fitness levels particularly pelvic floor exercises, where necessary
- Less salt: Reduce the regular dietary salt intake
- Stay fit and trim: For those overweight/obese, appropriate weight loss is recommended
- Avoid smoking, watching TV when you wake up to urinate
- Elevate legs above heart: For those with peripheral oedema, elevating the legs above heart level a few hours before bedtime
- Take diuretics during the day: For those on diuretic medication, opt to take the medication in mid-afternoon instead
For more information on how to be savvy about the management of nocturia, check out www.waketowee.com.
Acknowledgement
Principle Investigator: Dr Yow Hui Yin
Co-researchers: Professor Dr Ong Teng Aik, Professor Dato’ Dr Zulkifli Md Zainuddin, Dr Goh Eng Hong, Dr Ngoo Kay Seong, Dr Toh Charng Chee, Dr Ahmad Nazran Fadzli, Dr Mai Chun Wai and Dr Esther van der Werf-Kok
About Ferring
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives. Headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, Ferring has its own manufacturing facilities in several European countries, in South America, China, India, Israel, and USA. With the acquisition of Bio-Technology General in 2005, it has capabilities in recombinant biotechnology as well as more traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing. Founded in 1950, Ferring now employs more than 6,500 people worldwide, has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110 countries.
Issued on behalf of Ferring Sdn. Bhd. by GO Communications Sdn Bhd.
For further information kindly contact:
ChengCheng
Contact Number: +603 7960 3032
E-mail: chengcheng.ng@ferring.com