Nighttime bathroom trips could reveal hidden health issues — here's when to worry

Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but repeated trips could signal underlying issues, health experts warn.

Waking up more than once a night to urinate can meet the clinical definition of nocturia, which affects about half of adults over 50 and becomes more common with age, according to a recent StudyFinds report.

The International Continence Society’s formal definition of nocturia includes even one nighttime trip, but frequency, disruption and a change from a person’s usual pattern all matter.

"Everyone has a baseline of what’s normal urinary frequency for them," Dr.

Ali Dabaja, a urologist at Henry Ford Health in Michigan, told the outlet.

"But if you wake at least twice to go to the bathroom during eight hours of sleep, that’s considered nocturia." DIETITIAN REVEALS SIMPLE EATING STRATEGY FOR BETTER SLEEP — AND ONE HABIT TO AVOID Nocturia isn't simply a bladder issue, according to Dr.

Jeffrey Chester, a licensed physician and medical director of The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center in Hawaii.

"A change in nighttime urinary patterns is definitely worth mentioning to a physician or healthcare provider, especially when it begins suddenly, becomes more frequent, or disrupts a person's sleep," Chester told Fox News Digital.

Alcohol and caffeine intake, the amount and timing of fluid consumption, and certain medications can all contribute, he added.

JUST 10 MINUTES OF DAILY FLOOR EXERCISES MAY IMPROVE BALANCE AND AGILITY, STUDY FINDS Waking up once isn't a cause for concern, agreed Catherine Darley, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Skilled Sleeper in Seattle, but more than once can be "concerning," she told Fox News Digital.

Experts note that it can raise the risk of falls , especially for those with mobility or balance challenges.

Research shows two or more nightly trips to the bathroom are linked to a higher risk of fall-related injuries, StudyFinds reported.

Sleep disorders can also be a factor, Darley said, including obstructive sleep apnea , which can affect hormones involved in suppressing urine production overnight.

Restless legs syndrome could also contribute to nighttime urination and is more common with age, Darley added.