Physically active people are at lower risk of nocturia

Physically active people are at lower risk of nocturia -

Men who are physically active at lower risk of nocturia (waking at night to urinate), according to a a study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch school of Medicine researcher.

studying Kate Wolin, ScD, and colleagues is published online ahead of print in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , the official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine .

Nocturia is the most common and bothersome symptom of lower urinary tract in men. It may be due to an enlarged prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze down on the urethra. Other causes include an overproduction of urine, the ability of low bladder and sleep disorders. Nocturia increases with age and is estimated to occur in over 50 percent of men 45 and older.

Wolin and colleagues analyzed data from a clinical trial, being called screening for prostate, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer Trial (PLCO). Men aged 55 to 74 were eligible for the trial. The survey included questions about the results of BPH, including enlarged prostate, high PSA levels and nocturia. PLCO has also asked the men about physical activity and other lifestyle factors.

Wolin's analysis included 28.404 men in the PLCO trial that the results of BPH prior to enrollment in the study (prevalent group) and 4,710 men who had recently developed BPH (group events) .

Among men of the incident group, those who were physically active one or more hours per week were 13 percent less likely to report nocturia and 34 percent less likely to report severe nocturia then men who said no physical activity. (Nocturia was defined as waking up two or more times during the night to urinate ;. severe Nocturia was defined as waking up three or more times to void)

"Combined with other strategies management, physical activity can provide a strategy for the management of the results of BPH, particularly nocturia, "Wolin and colleagues wrote.

There are several possible mechanisms by which physical activity may protect against nocturia, including reducing the size of the body, improved sleep, decreased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and lowering the levels of systemic inflammation.

future studies should explore physical activity as a potential symptom management strategy ", with particular attention to the dose of physical activity required and the mechanisms that might underlie the association," Wolin and colleagues wrote.

Wolin is an epidemiologist whose research focuses on the role of lifestyle in reducing the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, as well as improved results. it is Associate Professor in the departments of surgery and public health sciences at the University of Chicago Stritch Loyola School of Medicine.