New study Nocturnal urination can be avoided by reducing salt intake

The increased consumption of salt can affect our nocturnal urination
Many older people are likely to know the problem: they can not sleep through the night, because they often feel the urge to go to the bathroom. Researchers have now found that the cause is often in the diet of those affected and is due to their salt intake.

The scientists of the Japanese Nagasaki University found in their investigation that disturbed sleep by nocturnal urination (nocturia) with too much salt in the diet is related. The physicians published the results of their study at this year's European Society of Urology congress in London.

Many people eat too much salt. Especially at an advanced age, increased salt intake can lead to health problems and increased nocturnal urination. (Image: HandmadePictures / fotolia.com)

Nocturia affects the quality of life of many older people
Nocturia or multiple, nocturnal urination leads to interruptions of sleep. The problem rarely affects younger people. But elderly people over the age of 60 often suffer sleep problems from nocturia, say the experts. Of course, this greatly affects the quality of life of those affected.

Lack of sleep leads to negative effects
Most people over the age of 60 (and a significant minority under 60) wake up one or more times a night to use the bathroom. Actually, the problem is not so serious, but the lack of sleep can lead to other negative effects. Stress, irritability and fatigue create a significant negative impact on the quality of life of those affected, the researchers add.

Japanese generally tend to above average salt intake
The research team of Nagasaki University under the direction of Dr. Ing. Matsuo Tomohiro has studied a group of 321 men and women with an increase in salt intake. The experts analyzed whether the salt intake leads to problems sleeping. Japanese often tend to have above average salt intake, say the authors.

Participants were medically monitored for twelve weeks
The researchers tried to find out from the study whether reducing the amount of salt leads to a significant increase in urination, both during the day and during sleep. The patients received guidance and support to reduce salt consumption, explain the physicians. The participants were medically monitored for twelve weeks, whereby the salt consumption was measured biochemically.

Reduced salt intake leads to reduction of urination
The advice was quite successful. 223 members of the group were able to reduce their salt intake from 10.7 g per day to 8.0 g per day, explain the authors. 98 subjects increased their average salt intake from 9.6 g to 11.0 g. As a result, the average nighttime for urination among those affected increased from 2.3 times in one night to 2.7 times in one night. The researchers found that reduced urine intake reduced daily urination.

Larger studies are needed
The noted reduction in the need to go to the bathroom at night resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of life of the participants. This is the first study to examine the effects of salt intake on the frequency of urination, says author Dr. Tomohiro. The results have yet to be confirmed by larger studies. Nocturnal urinating is a big problem for many older people.

Previous research focused mostly on the drinks consumed
The results show that simple nutritional modification could significantly improve the quality of life for many people, explain the Japanese scientists. This is an important aspect in reducing frequent urination. So far, researchers have generally focused on reducing the amount of drinks consumed. The salt intake was usually not considered, the experts add. (As)