Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

The research team of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, led by Dr. Woo Jin Bang of Urology and Dr. Hyo Geun Choi of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, reported that four out of ten Koreans suffer from nocturia, a symptom of excessive urination during the night. According to a local community health survey, which included about 92 thousand adults between the age of 19 and 103, 41.8% experience nocturia more than once and 17.6% experience more than twice. Nocturia is a symptom that causes one to wake up to urinate for any reason.

“Eating a lot of salty food promotes urination to excrete accumulated sodium,” said Dr. Woo Jin Bang. “It is a good way to try reducing daytime sleep because sleep disorders are likely to lead to the development of nocturia,” he added. The study was published in a recent issue of the international journal ‘Scientific Reports’.

By Ji-Hyeon Choi, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (jihyeon@hallym.or.kr)