Also known as enuresis, sleep wetting and bladder incontinence.
Bedwetting is involuntary, not intentional.
There are 2 types of enuresis. Primary enuresis - where control over bladder does not last for more than 6 months. Secondary enuresis - where bladder control is attained for at least a year before wetting repeats.
Nocturnal enuresis is bedwetting in the night while diurnal enuresis is bedwetting during the day and in the night. The former is more common.
Bedwetting often runs in the family i.e. when one or both parents, grandparents had wetted when they were young, their offspring would follow likewise.
It happens more often in boys than girls.
When a child who has been dry in the night starts to wet, it could be due to stress resulting from a change in environment, school, the loss of a parent, parents' divorce or the birth of a sibling.
Other more serious but less common implications include diabetes or bladder infection (e.g. pain when urinating, abdominal pain, etc) .
Bedwetting can cause the wetter to feel embarrassed and lead to low-self image.
Most children will outgrow bedwetting automatically by the time they reach 4 or 5.
A lack of a natural anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) called vasopressin released from the brain can lead to bed wetting. This hormone makes the urine more concentrated and reduces the production of urine at night.
Bedwetting alarms/pagers (see next column) are effective devices for treating bedwetting.
To lighten the load of having to deal with a urine-soaked mattress, wrap the whole or just the most likely affected portion of the mattress with a sheet of plastic such as vinyl tablecloth, poncho or simply use trash bags.
Have old cloths, rags or towels on standby.
Pack along anti-bacterial wipes when going for a vacation.
Restrict fluid intake in the evening, preferably 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Refrain from foods or soft drinks containing caffeine as they cause more urine production.
Have the child urinate before going to bed.
Let the child wear absorbent or disposable training pants to bed.
Tell your child to wake you up whenever nature calls.
You might try waking the child up once or twice during the night for "pee pee" time in the bathroom. (Note: be prepared that the child might be groggy and refuse to get up)
As bed wetting is involuntary, do not blame or punish the child for wetting. Encourage the child to press on.
Consider assigning the clean-up task to the child not as a punishment but rather to help reinforce the need to hold the urine.
Keep a record of wet and dry nights.
Be supportive and encouraging to your child.
Bed wetting alarm - an audible alarm connected to a pad (placed on underwear) or a mat (placed on the bed) goes off once urine is detected and awakens the child.
Potty pager - this vibrating pager vibrates when the sensors detect moisture. It is clipped onto the underwear.
Medical drug : Desmopressin (DDAVP) - this is an expensive synthetic hormone which helps to concentrate urine. It can be consumed in tablet form or sprayed via a nasal spray before bedtime. This drug does not cure bedwetting it merely helps to tide the child over this period until the body is able to produce sufficient hormone over time. Some side effects are headaches, abdominal cramps, nose bleeding and loss of appetite. Use this as the last option.
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