Frequently waking up during the night to urinate may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. While the condition, known as nocturia has previously been linked to sleep apnea it is not currently used as a screening tool. New research may change this.

The research study looked at patients seeking diagnosis and treatment at two New Mexico sleep centers. The patients completed detailed medical and sleep questionnaires. Researchers reviewed the charts of over 1000 adult patients. Snoring, which is a marker for sleep apnea was reported in 77 percent of the patients. Nocturia was reported by 83 percent. Eighty percent of the patients sampled were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The results indicate that self-reported nocturia predicted sleep apnea severity even better than the usual gauges of weight, sex, age and snoring. The researchers concluded that nocturia was comparable to snoring as a screening tool for OSA.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and is intolerant of CPAP therapy there is another answer, other than surgery. Sleeping with a dental device called an oral appliance may be the key to a restful night’s sleep with uninterrupted breathing. For more information on oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea please contact Dr. Mark Levy in Columbus, Ohio at 614-454-3488.