Open AccessNocturia: A Nonspecific but Bothersome Symptom in Urology
Author(s) -
SungLang Chen
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
urological science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.155
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 1879-5234
pISSN - 1879-5226
DOI - 10.1016/s1879-5226(11)60001-8
Subject(s) - nocturia , medicine , desmopressin , overactive bladder , tolerability , adverse effect , urology , lower urinary tract symptoms , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , intensive care medicine , urinary system , alternative medicine , prostate , nursing , pathology , cancer
Nocturia is a common symptom in both men and women. It can be troublesome by itself by disturbing sleep and can have a significant impact on the quality of sleep and the quality of life. In men, nocturia is often ascribed to prostatic disease without due consideration of other causes. However, other factors or a combination of factors are just as likely to be the cause. The cause of nocturia can usually be determined by a simple assessment of a patient's history, an examination, and a voiding diary, plus a urodynamic study if necessary. Lifestyle and behavioral changes may benefit some individuals, but for many people, the only treatment option is pharmacology. Antimuscarinic agents are the most common therapies for an overactive bladder and are often used to manage nocturia. The vasopressin analog desmopressin consistently leads to improvement in nocturnal episodes of patients with proven polyuria. The risk of adverse events associated with most available medications requires careful monitoring to optimize better safety and tolerability