What are your thoughts on bedwetting, its causes, and treatment options?
Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary urine that happens after a kid reaches the age when his or her bed should be dry at night.
It is common to see wet sheets and clothes and an embarrassed baby in many homes, so don’t despair. Bedwetting is not a sign that you failed to potty train your child on their own. It may just be a normal part of a child’s growth and development. Bedwetting before the age of seven is not a concern, as the child may still have control of the bladder during the night. If bedwetting persists, treat the problem with understanding and patience. Lifestyle changes, bladder control exercises, and medications can sometimes help reduce bedwetting.
Symptoms of involuntary urination
Children are usually taught to use the bathroom completely by the time they reach the age of five, but there is no set age for complete bladder control, and some children continue to have involuntary urination between the ages of five and seven, and some children continue to have involuntary urination after the age of seven.
When do children get rid of bedwetting?
Most children outgrow bedwetting on their own, but some may require assistance, and it can also be a sign of a problem that necessitates medical attention.
- If your child has been bedwetting since the age of seven, see a doctor.
- After several months of not peeing in bed, your child has started to do so.
3. If you have pain, thirst, pink or red urine, firm stools, or snoring in addition to bedwetting.
What causes bedwetting?
No one understands why people wet their beds, however, a variety of reasons could be at play, such as:
1- The bladder is tiny, and the bladder may not have fully grown to handle the amount of urine generated throughout the urination time.
2- The inability to distinguish between full and empty bladders due to the inadequate development of bladder-controlling neurons. A full bladder may not wake your child, especially if he or she is sleeping deeply.
3- Hormonal inconsistency. Some children may not produce enough antidiuretic hormone during childhood, which is responsible for reducing urine production at night.
4- Urinary tract infection, a condition in which a child’s ability to control urine is impaired. Bedwetting, issues urinating during the day, frequent urination, red or pink urine, and pain when urinating are some of the signs and symptoms that may emerge.
5- Sleep apnea. Involuntary urination can be an indication of sleep apnea, a disorder that causes sleep apnea, which is usually caused by swollen tonsils or adenoids, as well as other symptoms such as snoring and feeling dizzy while sleeping.
6- Diabetes, which may be the first sign of diabetes in a child who has never had the problem of involuntary urination; other signs that he has urination include urinating in large amounts at once, feeling more thirsty, weariness, and weight loss despite an open appetite.
7- Chronic constipation, in which the same muscles are utilized to control the process of eliminating urine and feces, and when this process is continued for long periods of time, these muscles lose their capacity to fulfill their role, resulting in involuntary urination. Problems with the urethra or nervous system formation. Bedwetting is rarely caused by a problem with a child’s neurological or urinary system.
Complications of involuntary urination
Bed-wetting without a physical cause does not suggest any health problems, but it can produce a variety of issues, including guilt and embarrassment, which can lead to a lack of self-confidence. Loss of ability to participate in social activities, such as camping in the open air. The existence of a rash in the sensitive areas of the child is especially likely if the child sleeps in wet underwear, but there are inventive and rapid ways to treat involuntary urination with the aid of current technology.
TheraPee is web-based interactive software that combines an enhanced bedwetting alarm with cutting-edge technology. The system is the result of more than 30 years of professional research and application. For example, there are many useful ways to treat it:
The TheraPee system was developed to deliver the same level of effective bedwetting therapy to patients all around the world, based on the experience of treating over 40,000 children and young adults and studies with patients ranging in age from 4 to 35. You will receive individualized care via the internet and the interactive portal we’ve designed without ever having to leave your home—and at a fraction of the expense that would normally be necessary for this level of service.
Risk factors for bedwetting
Bedwetting can affect everyone, but males are twice as likely as females to experience it. Several factors have been associated with bedwetting, including:
1- Anxiety and stress, as certain situations, such as starting a new school or staying outside the house, can alter a child’s psychological state, causing bedwetting.
2- Family history: If one or both parents were bedwetters as children, there is a good possibility that the child will be afflicted as well.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and children with involuntary urination are more likely to urinate.
What are the signs and symptoms of uncontrollable urination?
The doctor may recommend the following to diagnose the cause of bedwetting and assist with treatment, depending on the child’s situation: A physical exam during which the doctor addresses the child’s symptoms, fluid consumption, family history, bowel and bladder issues, and bedwetting issues. Urine tests are performed to look for indicators of infection or diabetes. If necessary, X-rays or imaging studies of the kidneys or bladder to examine the structure of the urethra, as well as other diagnostics, may be performed.
What are the options for treating uncontrollable urination?
If your child requires treatment, it will be determined after a conversation between you and the doctor to determine the best course of action for your child’s condition. If your child is not embarrassed by nighttime urination, lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine and limiting fluids in the evening may be an appropriate solution; however, if lifestyle changes are not successful, or if your child is anxious and afraid of it, additional treatment may be necessary. If there is another cause for involuntary urination, such as constipation, the doctor must be informed before beginning treatment. Treatment techniques may include the use of drugs and humidifiers.
Dry Buddy Flex 3 Wireless Bedwetting and Enuresis Alarm with Magnetic Sensor
humidity alarms
Manufactured devices that operate using small batteries without a prescription are available in many pharmacies. These machines are connected to a moisture-sensitive device. This device is placed on the child’s clothes or bedding. When the device senses moisture, it sends an alert.
The device is very suitable for alerting the child that he has started urinating, thus helping him to wake up and go to the bathroom, and if your child is one of the people who sleep deeply, it may require another person to pay attention to the device to wake the child from sleep. And if you try a humidifier, give it some time, it may take about one to three months for the baby to start responding, and it may take up to 16 weeks for the baby to stop peeing at night. Humidifiers are effective for many children, and they carry a small risk of side effects, These devices may provide a better solution than medication in the long term.
The device is very suitable for alerting the child that he has started urinating, thus helping him to wake up and go to the bathroom, and if your child is one of the people who sleep deeply, it may require another person to pay attention to the device to wake the child from sleep. And if you try a humidifier, give it some time, it may take about one to three months for the baby to start responding, and it may take up to 16 weeks for the baby to stop peeing at night. Humidifiers are effective for many children, and they carry a small risk of side effects, These devices may provide a better solution than medication in the long term.
traditional medicine
Your doctor may prescribe medications for a short period of time as a last resort to stop bedwetting. Some types of medications can: Decrease urine production during the night Desmopressin reduces urine production during the night, but drinking a lot of fluids with this medicine can cause many problems. Avoid using this medicine if your child has symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and nausea, and you should make sure to follow the instructions if using the medicine. The drug is taken orally, and children over the age of five use it, The Food and Drug Administration announced that the nasal spray should not be used due to its serious side effects. Calming the bladder If the child has a small bladder, anticholinergic drugs such as oxybutynin can be used to help reduce bladder contractions and increase the density of the bladder, especially if they occur during the day. This medicine is usually used with some other medicines, and it is recommended to use it in case it does not work with Any of the other treatment methods. Sometimes a combination of these medicines is effective, but there are no guarantees. The age at which the problem ends varies from one child to another.
home remedies steps
The following steps may help: Reduce your fluid intake in the evening. Avoid drinks and foods that contain caffeine. Encourage the child to urinate before bed. Prevention of rashes. Encourage the child to use the bathroom.
Complementary Medicines
Some may choose complementary or alternative medicines for treatment, including medicines that may use acupuncture, hypnosis, chiropractic, and herbal therapy. The evidence for the effectiveness of this type of treatment in treating urination is weak, and in some cases, the evidence was limited, weak, or both. Be sure to consult your doctor before using any of these alternative medications or supplements, and if you decide to try any of them, ask your doctor if they are safe for your child or not, and make sure that they will not interfere with the work of any of the medications.
Coping with illness and supporting your child
It happens against the child’s will, so be patient with the child and work to solve the problem. Effective treatment methods may include some plans that may take some time to work: Be careful with your child’s feelings If your child is feeling anxious or stressed, encourage him to express his feelings; Support and encourage him. When the child feels calm and safe, the problem may be lessened, and if necessary, talk to your doctor about more plans to reduce stress. Plan to clean Cover the baby’s crib with plastic, wear heavy underwear, which may help absorb urine during the night, keep more bed sheets and clothes close to the baby, and don’t use nappies for long periods of time. Celebrate your child’s accomplishments because bedwetting is out of your child’s control, so there is no point in punishing him, and you should also prevent his brothers or relatives from making fun of him, You must encourage and celebrate with him for following the routine of sleeping, as well as helping you clean his place, So rewarding the child may motivate and encourage your child. Ask the child’s help if your child reaches the appropriate age, talk to him about drying himself and his clothes, as well as cleaning the place where he sleeps, and then put those clothes in the place designated to clean them. It may help increase your child’s sense of control over the situation.
Tips for visiting a doctor
You’ll usually start by seeing your child’s pediatrician, but your doctor may refer you to a urologist, and here are some tips that may help you in your appointment. what you can do To urinate, record how much fluid your child drinks, especially after dinner. Make a list of some personal information, including exposure to some stressors or changes in the child’s life. Family history of bedwetting. Make a list of the medications your child takes, even if it’s a combination of supplements or vitamins, and don’t forget to write down their dosages. Write down the questions you will need to ask the doctor. Questions you will ask the doctor, What is the cause of bedwetting? When can my child stop bedwetting? What are the available treatment methods, and what is the best course of action, in your opinion? Are there any side effects? What alternatives are available for the treatment you’re suggesting? Should my child be restricted to certain types of drinks? Are there any printed instructions that I can take home? Is there a medical website you recommend visiting? If you have any questions about bedwetting, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about it, especially if you can’t understand some of the information the doctor gave you. What should I expect from the doctor? Often, the doctor will ask you a set of questions, and be ready to answer them in order to save some time until you start another point that you need to focus on. Among the questions that the doctor may ask are: Is there a family history of bedwetting? Has your child always had bedwetting, or did it just start? How often does your child visit? Are there periods when your child does not urinate? Is your child dry during the day? Does your child suffer from defecation problems? Does your child complain of pain or other stressors? How do you deal with the involuntary urination that your child suffers from?
Dr.Munem Othman
