Falling on way to bathroom
Submitted by: Marc C. Gittelman, M.D.
Submitted on: June 17 , 2008
Q: My husband wakes up all the time at night and I am worried about his falling on his way to the bathroom in the dark. How can I get him to go to the doctor’s office for help?
A: Fifty percent of 50-year-old men begin to develop symptoms of prostate enlargement — frequency, urgency, and slow stream. The most bothersome symptom is waking at night to void. Whether it’s one time or five times, it’s a nuisance that can cause sleep deprivation. Now we have uncovered another danger. A new study reveals that there is a significantly increased risk of men falling on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Some of these falls lead to head injuries, broken hips and other fractures.
Researchers followed nearly 6,000 patients and they reported t hat men with severe symptoms of prostate enlargement have a 33 percent increased risk of falling compared to men without symptoms, and more than 60 percent had an increased risk of falling two or more times a year. Even men with moderate symptoms had an increased risk of falling compared to other men without prostate complaints.
Treatment for prostate enlargement is relatively simple. Tell your husband there is more at stake here than his pride and he should run, not walk to his physician while he still can.
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Are frequent nightly trips to the bathroom leaving you exhausted?
Nocturia, or frequent urination at night, is a common urological disorder in adults. It typically results in a loss of sleep. Over time, this can lead to fatigue, memory deficits, depression, and other issues. In many people the effect of nocturia can compromise their quality of life during daytime hours.
Help may be available for people with nocturia. A clinical trial is currently underway to test the effectiveness of a medication to treat nocturia. You may be eligible to participate in this study if you meet the followin criteria:
- Are male
- Are age 55 or older
- Have a history of nocturia
- 2-5 voids per night
- Persistent nocturia despite appropriate lifestyle advice (e.g. evening fluid restriction)
- Are generally well
All trial-related visits, testing, and study medication or placebo will be provided to participants at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may be available.
To learn more about this clinical trial, please contact the office listed below:
South Florida Medical Research — 305-931-8080