Nocturia and older people

Abstract

Nocturia has been defined as one or more voids [of urine] at night, each of which is preceded and followed by sleep (Abrams et al, 2002; van Kerrebroeck et al, 2002). It is a condition that can influence health status and quality of life; for example, daytime sleepiness can occur as a result of loss of sleep at night, and the resultant loss of energy can render many older people prone to accidents, such as falls (Box 1).