CPAP and midnight potty breaks

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:36 pm

Hello fellow CPAPers.

I've been on CPAP for 8 weeks now, and things are going great - much better than expected. The experiences and knowledge you all share on this forum have really eased the transition to Vaderdom. I am grateful. Hopefully I will be able to return the favor, or at least help some newbies down the line as I gain more experience and knowledge.

I come to you with a simple question. I've noticed since going on CPAP that I take fewer bathroom breaks during the night - often none at all (compared to usually 1-3 per night before going on CPAP). I've noticed in some posts on this forum that some of you have mentioned this is common. Why? Why does treating sleep apnea reduce bathroom breaks?

Thanks for any insights or theories!

Best,
Ron

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:16 am

roncron wrote:Why does treating sleep apnea reduce bathroom breaks?

Basically because you are sleeping properly!

When you have disordered sleep, such as caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea, your body is basically running in "awake" mode for quite a bit of the time you are nominally "asleep". One side effect of this is that your kidneys keep functioning in awake mode, so you need to empty your bladder periodically.

When you are truly asleep, (that is not being awoken by OSA and are experiencing good REM sleep), your kidneys reduce their function so that you bladder fills much more slowly.

See also.... http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten ... 148/6/1337

and... http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cg ... ct/40/1/44

and... http://www.sleepdex.org/organsystems.htm

Cheers,

Bill

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:52 am

Well, here it is in medicalese.

O.

http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/conte ... 64/12/2147

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease
RICHARD S. T. LEUNG and T. DOUGLAS BRADLEY

Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 164, Number 12, December 2001, 2147-2165

Results have been more consistent in the case of atrial natriuretic peptide, a vasoactive hormone secreted primarily in response to right atrial distension (87). In patients with OSA, its concentration is elevated in proportion to the degree of hypoxemia-induced increases in pulmonary artery pressure and negative intrathoracic pressure swings (85, 88 ). Atrial natriuretic peptide promotes diuresis, natriuresis, and vasodilation and thereby counteracts the pressor and fluid-retaining effects of the hormones mentioned above (91). Consequently, high nocturnal atrial natriuretic peptide levels probably contribute to nocturia, a common feature of OSA. In uncontrolled studies, abolition of OSA by CPAP was associated with reductions in nocturnal urinary atrial natriuretic peptide and urine excretion (90, 91).

Basically - lack of oxygen stresses your cardiovascular system, the extra fluid in your right atrium causes you body to excreted a hormone (I think it's a hormone...) to help you get rid of that extra fluid - and you're running to the bathroom. Other research had found a correlation between AHI and nocturia (noct = night uria = peeing).

O.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:23 am

My opinion....as a "mechanic" rather than as a "healer"......is that lower blood pressure at night.....results in fewer (or no) potty stops at night.

My experience was exactly like yours.......one or two trips to pee in the middle of each night. My blood pressure was out of control at night......and the only way I knew it was to measure it in the middle of the night. Few people check their blood pressure in the middle of the night.......they don't want the hassle....they just want to sleep.

I still have a few high blood pressure episodes at night.....but not nearly like I had before CPAP. I've noticed the urge to pee during these high BP events.......and the urge to pee goes away when I start breathing correctly.

Gerald

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:10 am

I've also noticed a vast difference since starting CPAP.

It used to be I'd wake up every two hours, do my thing, go back to sleep, wake up again, until I dragged myself out of bed in the morning.

Now, I visit the little boys room maybe once every third night of sleep.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:42 am

I to, prior to c-pap would wake up every hour, potty break, go back to bed and do this all night long. Since c-pap the only time I get up for potty breaks is if I have something to drink close to bed time, then it is only once and right back to sleep!

Now if I could only do something about the 1 cup of coffee and 4 potty breaks What is about 1 cup of coffee or 1 beer that turns into 5 cups of liquid?

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:09 am

When I came home from the hospital with my trachea tube in place(which I would uncap at night or naps) it was not unusual for me to get up 4/6 times a night for restroom visits. I even stopped taking liquids after lunch, but that did not help. When my DME brought my machine she said that I would now get into a deep sleep and not be up during the night. This has been true in my case, I'm glad that you have had the same result. Regards

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:10 am

Thanks so much to billbolton, ozij, gerald and others. This satisfies my curiosity.

This is a nice side effect from going on cpap.

Though it's not quite up there with having more energy or knowing I'm not going to suffocate in my sleep.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:43 am

Then, too, there is the incidence of "habit". I had bedwetting problems up until 8 years of age when it was discovered I had a tipped pelvis and osteopathic manipulation put an end to that. However, I still experienced urinary frequency and urgency up until 12 when an osteopath decided my pelvis was still a bit tipped.

That "habit" of my parents wakening me during the night to go to the bathroom, coupled w/the habit of going to the bathroom BEFORE leaving the house or whenever I woke up left me w/the "habit" even at 60 of going to the bathroom if I wake up for any reason. I don't have high BP, etc.

What I have is "habit". Heck, I can go 4-5 hours doing volunteer work w/o even thinking of the bathroom much less going, then when its time to go home, go to the bathroom first then drive the half hour home, as I turn the corner on my road the urge to go hits, as I turn in my driveway the urge to go gets stronger. As I climb out of my car the urge is REALLY strong and I rush straight to the bathroom. Tell me that isn't HABIT and training!!!

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CPAP and midnight potty breaks

CPAP and midnight potty breaks

Re: CPAP and midnight potty breaks

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