Nocturiaaccording to TCM
*redirected from Urination at night
Symptom family: Urine Volume & Frequency Abnormalities
Parent symptom: Frequent Urination
What is Nocturia?
Nocturia, the medical term for excessive urination at night, disrupts sleep and can significantly impact one’s quality of life. This condition, where individuals wake up multiple times to urinate, can result from various underlying health issues. While it's commonly associated with a high fluid intake before bedtime, its root causes can be more complex, ranging from urinary tract infections to more chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
How does TCM view Nocturia?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets nocturia through the lens of energy imbalances and disharmony within the body's organ systems. Unlike Western medicine that often targets the symptoms, TCM seeks to understand the deeper 'patterns' of disharmony causing nocturia.
Whether it stems from Kidney Yin or Yang Deficiency or Bladder Cold, each symptom provides a clue to the underlying TCM pattern, dictating a tailored treatment plan to restore balance.
Root Causes of Nocturia in TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nocturia is often attributed to the imbalance of the body's fundamental substances. Two primary patterns associated with nocturia are Kidney Yang Deficiency and Bladder Deficiency and Empty Cold.
Kidney Yang Deficiency manifests with symptoms beyond frequent nighttime urination, such as a sensation of cold, weak knees, and lower back pain. It is believed that when Kidney Yang is weak, the body's Fire or warmth necessary to transform and transport fluids efficiently becomes insufficient, leading to imbalances that cause nocturia.
Bladder Deficiency and Empty Cold suggest a lack of warmth and vitality within the Bladder, leading to its inability to retain urine. This condition may present with symptoms such as clear and copious urine, a feeling of coldness, and difficulty in initiating urination. Patients may also report fatigue, as their body's Qi is not warming and invigorating the Bladder function properly.
Explore below more details about what might cause Nocturia according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Yang Deficiency
- Qi Deficiency
- Cold
Yang Deficiency
Yang deficiency in TCM refers to a state where the body's Yang energy, which is responsible for warmth, activity, and function, is weakened or diminished. This pattern of disharmony often arises from chronic illness, aging, or inherent constitutional weakness. Symptoms of Yang deficiency are typically associated with cold and sluggishness, such as a feeling of coldness, cold extremities, pale complexion, low energy or fatigue, and a desire for warmth. Digestive issues like poor appetite, loose stools, and water retention can also be indicative of Yang deficiency.... see more
Yang Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Nocturia
Common Symptoms: Chills Generalized Fatigue General Weakness Diarrhea Erectile Dysfunction Premature Ejaculation Low Sex Drive Lower Back Pain
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney Yang Deficiency | Night time urination, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation... see more | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | You Gui Wan | Er Xian Tang | Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan | Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan | Ji Chuan Jian | Yu Lin Zhu |
| Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang | Night time urination, Chills, General cold feeling, Pale urine, Undigested food in stools, General weakness, Abdominal pain relieved by pressure and warmth, Frequent urination, Polyuria, Nocturia, White vaginal discharge... see more | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | You Gui Wan | Ban Liu Wan |
| Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency | Urination at night, Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Watery ejaculate, Low sex drive, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Clear urination, Nocturia, Apathy, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Lack of appetite, Slight abdominal distention, Desire to lie down... see more | Li Zhong Wan | Huan Shao Dan |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Nocturia
For conditions like Kidney Yang Deficiency, TCM practitioners may recommend formulas like You Gui Wan, which is designed to warm and fortify the Kidney Yang, thereby improving its function. This formula often includes herbs such as Prepared aconite, which is known for its warming properties.
In cases of Bladder Deficiency and Empty Cold, Sang Piao Xiao San may be suggested to stabilize and bind the Essence, thus helping in reducing nocturnal emissions and frequent urination. Its key ingredient, Praying Mantis Egg-Cases, is typically used for its properties to secure the Kidneys and Bladder.
For Kidney Qi Deficiency, where symptoms may include a dribbling urine stream and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, formulas like Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan may be utilized. It aims to secure the Kidney Qi and consolidate the Essence, often including ingredients like Lotus Seed and Euryale Seed known for their astringent qualities.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address nocturia, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Yang Deficiency
- Qi Deficiency
- Cold
Top Formula for Yang Deficiency:
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Suitable for Yang Deficiency patterns that may cause nocturia, such as Kidney Yang Deficiency or Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Nocturia Caused by Yang Deficiency
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency, Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang |
| You Gui Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency, Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang |
| Er Xian Tang | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Tu Si Zi Wan | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Ji Chuan Jian | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Yu Lin Zhu | Kidney Yang Deficiency |
| Ban Liu Wan | Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang |
| Li Zhong Wan | Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency |
| Huan Shao Dan | Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency |
Acupoints for Nocturia
In TCM, specific acupoints are targeted to address nocturia. Shenshu (BL-23) is used for Kidney Yang Deficiency to strengthen renal function. For Bladder Deficiency and Empty Cold, Guilai (ST-29) is employed to warm the Bladder. To counter Kidney Qi Deficiency, Fuliu (KID-7) is selected to bolster the Kidney's Qi reception. These points aim to rebalance the body’s Yin and Yang, and harmonize the flow of Qi, thereby mitigating nocturnal urination issues.
Explore below some acupoints used to address nocturia, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Stomach Channel
- Bladder Channel
