Men's Bladder Problems May Be Sign of Heart Disease, Diabetes: Study

Men who regularly get up more than once at night to urinate could be suffering from various health conditions many of which can be treated by a general practitioners (GP), state researchers from the University of Adelaide.

Men who suffer from Nocturia, a condition where one feels the need to get up frequently in the night to urinate, might be suffering from an 'Overactive Bladder Syndrome'. Nocturia is a result of excess liquid intake before going to bed or it could be a symptom of a larger issue such as sleep apnea.

"The need to urinate at night is a problem with urine storage, and this disrupts sleep. It is an indication of and can also exacerbate other health conditions," Professor Gary Wittert, head of the Discipline of Medicine at the University of Adelaide, said in a press statement. "Nocturia, combined with the sensation of not being able to hold on (urgency), or frequent urination, suggest the presence of overactive bladder syndrome. We're now beginning to understand the broader relevance of this in relation to other health problems."

Nocturia increases with age. The study noticed that one in five men in Australia aged 40 and above as well as men aged 70 and above had overactive bladder syndrome.

According to the study researchers, lower urinary tract symptoms are generally linked to prostate problems in men but they may also be indicative of certain other health issues.

These urinary problems are tied to depression or anxiety, obesity and sleep apnea. And these health issues can be treated. Men can successfully overcome these urinary problems if the issues are dealt with properly, says lead author of the paper Dr. Sean Martin.

Professor Wittert links Nocturia and overactive bladder syndrome to type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. He highlights the fact that urinary problems in men are not just because of prostate but could be the cause of other underlying health problems. The study will be published in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Urology.