A simple nasal spray controls nighttime urination in men who were not helped by drugs usually prescribed by physicians today. Researchers in Taiwan prescribed a nasal spray containing antidiuretic hormone to older men who urinated more than six times each night and had not been helped by conventional treatments (British Journal of Urology International, December 2005.) More than 85 percent improved in a very short time.

During the day, your kidneys clean your body by producing large amounts of urine. When you go to sleep at night, your brain produces a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone, or ADH, that shuts down your kidneys so you can sleep at night.

The brains of most younger people produce enough antidiuretic hormone to shut down the kidneys for a full night of rest. However, as men age, most have to get up at night to urinate. Some men have to do this more than six times a night, which interferes with sleep and makes them very tired during the day. Most doctors prescribe muscle relaxants and some patients find that they help. However, a very large percentage of older men go from doctor to doctor and are unable to find a drug that will control their night-time urination.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.