4 Everyday Habits That Can Make Prostate Symptoms Worse After 50
Waking up once during the night to urinate can be annoying. Waking up repeatedly at 2 or 3 a.m. can leave you exhausted the following morning.
As men get older, an enlarged prostate—also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—becomes increasingly common. The prostate can press against the urethra and contribute to symptoms such as a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, frequent urination, urgency, and nighttime bathroom trips.
But here’s an important point: there is no proven way to “kill” prostate enlargement in 24 hours. Certain daily habits can aggravate urinary symptoms, however, and changing them may make a noticeable difference.
Here are four habits worth reconsidering.
1. Drinking Large Amounts of Fluid Before Bed
One of the simplest changes is to pay attention to when you drink.
If you consume large amounts of water, tea, juice, or other beverages shortly before going to bed, your bladder may fill while you’re sleeping.
Instead:
- Drink enough throughout the day.
- Reduce large drinks during the 2–3 hours before bedtime.
- Use the bathroom immediately before going to bed.
- Don’t severely restrict fluids during the entire day.
Staying hydrated is still important. The goal is to move more of your fluid intake earlier in the day, rather than becoming dehydrated.
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