Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is a common issue in children and can cause a great deal of stress and embarrassment for a child. It can also cause stress for parents who may feel helpless in trying to help their child overcome this issue. Bedwetting is more common among younger children but can also happen in older children and even adults.
Speaking with OnlyMyHealth, Dr. Usha Gulati, senior pediatrician from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow, said that the majority of occurrences of bedwetting in children are caused by inadequate bladder control, for which no treatment is required. It occurs during the formative stage. However, it can cause serious health problems when it occurs because of other health complications in children.
Causes Of Bedwetting
The exact cause of bed wetting is unknown to medical professionals, but it is said to be caused by a variety of factors. There are physical factors such as an immature bladder or a bladder that is too small to store urine overnight, or psychological factors such as stress or anxiety.
Medical conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infections, or sleep apnea can also contribute to bed wetting.
As per Dr. Gulati, in some cases, hormonal imbalance causes children to wet their beds. Each individual has an antidiuretic hormone that urges your body to slow down the creation of pee overnight. The lower amount of pee in the bladder is able to keep the urine, when it’s not then it creates nocturnal enuresis.
Also read: Study Finds Urine Biomarker May Provide Early Detection Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Paediatricians believe that gender and heredity are important factors in the development of excessive urine and bedwetting in children. This is a gender-neutral problem and can happen to boys and girls at the same level. This is more common among children of age between three to five and children whose parents have experienced comparable challenges are more likely to have this difficulty.
Diagnosis Of Bedwetting
A doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Primarily, a healthcare professional will ask:
- How often and what time bed-wetting happens
- Amount of urine that comes out
- What your child drank and how much they drank before going to bed
Treatment
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to help treat bedwetting. These can include lifestyle changes such as reducing fluid intake before bedtime, setting a regular bedtime routine, and encouraging your child to use the bathroom before bed. For more severe cases, medications or even bedwettingbed alarms can be used.
Also read: Symptoms, Causes And Risk Factors For Foamy Urine
When To Consult A Pediatrician
Following questions will tell you when to consult a doctor:
- If even after the age of seven your child wets the bed
- After a few months of being dry at night, your child begins to wet the bed.
- Bedwetting is accompanied by painful urination, excessive thirst, pink or red urine, firm stools, or snoring
If your child is experiencing bedwetting, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment. With the right approach and treatment.
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