Nocturia--a guide to assessment and management.

BACKGROUND Nocturia is a common cause of sleep disturbance affecting up to 40% of the adult population. OBJECTIVE This article provides a framework for the management of nocturia. Based on the frequency volume chart, nocturia can be divided into three categories: global polyuria, nocturnal polyuria and bladder storage disorders. Differentiating between these categories enables effective targeting of treatment. DISCUSSION Although nocturia is one of the most bothersome urinary symptoms, it has generally been poorly understood and managed. Aetiology is often multifactorial and includes systemic medical disease, lower urinary tract pathology, sleep disorders and behavioural and environmental factors.