General Info about Bedwetting

Bed-wetting or Enuresis is loss of urine during sleep which is a major problem for children. Bed-wetting is never done on purpose or due to laziness on the child's part. It is involuntary urination by anyone over the age of five or six years when there are no medical or other causes. The majority of children learn bladder control between the ages of two and four. It is more common in boys than in girls due to a maturational delay in the development of bladder musculature and its ability to withstand the pressure of a large urine volume. If bed-wetting is still occurring at age six or seven, you should speak to a doctor.

What are the causes of Bedwetting ?

In 99% of all bedwetting cases, the root cause is an inherited deep-sleep disorder. The brain sleeps so deeply that it fails to respond to the signals from the bladder hence the bladder empties involuntarily. A small bladder capacity and a weak and insensitive sphincter muscle (The sphincter muscle is the muscle that holds the urine inside the bladder) may also contribute to the problem.

During the first two to three years of life, bed-wetting at night is normal and expected. Enuresis can be related to toilet training that occurred too early or was too demanding on the child. Some parents maybe very critical putting too much pressure on the child.

At age 5 about 7% of boys and 3% of girls have bedwetting problems. The percentages decrease rapidly after that. Enuresis may be hereditary.

Some children do not wake up when their bladder is full or produce more urine during sleep than others.

In some children bladders do not hold as much urine as other children's do.

Physical causes are rare, but may include lower spinal cord lesions, congenital malformations of the genitourinary tract, infections of the urinary tract or diabetes.

Sometimes bed-wetting is associated with sleep problems such as sleepwalking and nightmares.

A psychologically stressful event can often cause bed-wetting ,food allergies are also a cause of bedwetting.

How can Bedwetting be treated ?

As children grow older, they are usually able to stop wetting the bed at night. Children vary in the age at which they are physically ready to have complete control over their bladders.

Limit fluid before bedtime - reasonable limitation of fluids, especially avoiding drinks that have caffeine, such as colas, tea and coffee helps in a few cases.

Using alarm clocks and waking the child up at fixed times during the night - Some parents find it helpful to wake the child once or twice at night to go to the bathroom. This is the simplest strategy and can be quite effective.

Moisture alarms - these alarms often can help the child learn to feel when the bladder is full and when wetting is just about to happen. Some of the alarms are triggered by a few drops of urine and wake the child.

Meditative exercise for relaxation and building your self-image on going to bed and before sleep are also helpful.

Hypnotherapy - Studies have shown that hypnotherapy helps some children.

Explain bed-wetting to your child - Reassure your child that bed-wetting is not his or her fault and that it will go away in time.

Behavioral therapy combined with counseling could help the child to be more confident.

Medicines -A type of anti-depressant called imipramine has the effect of relaxing the bladder and tightening the sphincter (preventing the passing of urine). But a child restarts the habit once the drug is stopped. Drugs are rarely prescribed because it has side effects.

There are other drugs available as 'puffs' but are expensive. However, they maybe used when the child is undertaking an outing with his or her friends.

Frequently asked questions about Bedwetting...

Which doctor should I consult if my son has the habit of bed wetting?
You can go to a Pediatrician or a Psychiatrist.

When will a child stop bed-wetting?
Common bed-wetting is not a mental or learning problem, and punishing your child will never provide a solution. In fact, a child who is punished for wetting the bed can develop emotional problems. Every child is different and most children outgrow bed-wetting.

What is the role of parents?
Parents should be helpful for supportive treatments to be effective. Do not accuse or threaten the child as this could make the child's condition worse. First of all, control fluid intake, it should be limited for up to two to three hours before bedtime. Rewards, like toys or favorite foods may be given for staying dry at night to motivate the child.

Is bedwetting sometimes caused by stress placed on the child or if the child is witness to abuse within the home?
No. Bedwetting is not caused by stress or by witnessing abuse in the home. Obviously, if those types of traumatic experiences are occurring within the home, it can exacerbate the problem, enhance it and cause it to be more intense or severe, but it does not cause the problem. The problem is they sleep too deep or incorrectly.

Is there a correlation between urination and high protein intake?
No there is not. High protein intake can cause metabolic problems that could cause a person to wet more or less but does not cause the bedwetting.

Glossary

Enuresis - Loss of urine during sleep.

Urinary bladder - A membranous sac that serves as a reservoir for urine. Contraction of the bladder results in urination.

Urinary tract Infection - A bacterial infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and-or kidneys.

Congenital - Present or existing at the time of birth.

Malformation - Abnormal development of an organ or tissue.

Diabetes - A condition in which the body cannot properly store or use glucose (sugar), the body's main source of energy.