Nocturnal enuresis: the demon that wets the bed

For many parents, it is a source of frustration. For children, it can be a devastating and humiliating experience, something far worse than any monster hiding under their beds or in their closets. I am referring to nocturnal enuresis or bedwetting. Some children continue to suffer from this condition when they should be enjoying sleepovers and sleepovers. However, for the child who suffers from Involuntary Bedwetting, the idea of ​​sleeping in someone’s house is riddled with fear that their “secret” will be exposed.

The cause of nocturnal enuresis is not exactly known, however, studies have shown that the number of children suffering from this condition is 5 to 7 million. Nocturnal refers to the night, so nocturnal enuresis is nocturnal enuresis that occurs at night. It is also classified as children who wet the bed involuntarily when they have already surpassed the years of potty training. The appearance of Nocturnal Enuresis is more frequent in boys than in girls.

Conditions that point to the existence of nocturnal enuresis

If your child wets the bed once, it doesn’t necessarily indicate bedwetting. Here are some factors that doctors look at when diagnosing bedwetting.

First, the doctor will need to determine if the nocturnal enuresis or involuntary nocturnal enuresis is frequent and repetitive. If a child has episodes at least 2 times a week, for at least three weeks, that indicates nocturnal enuresis.

Doctors will also write down the child’s medical history. When diagnosing nocturnal enuresis, the process is carried out on the basis of “ruling out” other medical conditions to determine what the underlying cause may be. The medical history portion of the diagnosis will deal with answers to questions about medications the child may be taking, urinary tract infections, bladder and spinal cord abnormalities, diabetes, and certain seizure-related disorders . Another factor that the doctor will look at is if there is a family history of nocturnal enuresis.

Nocturnal enuresis: causes

These questions help determine the existence of Nocturnal Enuresis. Although the cause is more of a puzzle than a simple lab test, there are some definite signs that contribute to the cause of bedwetting. For example, childhood stress, such as a death, divorce, or significant change, can trigger bedwetting. Delayed or slow growth and development can also cause bedwetting. If the bladder is too small, that will also contribute. Some children are just heavy sleepers and don’t wake up. While some medications can cause a child to wet the bed, this does not, however, constitute nocturnal enuresis. Once the course of prescribed medications is over, the bedwetting problem ceases.

What can be done with Nocturnal Enuresis?

Throughout the centuries, the number one step parents took to prevent bedwetting was to punish the child. This has led to a huge misconception about what Nocturnal Wetting is and has left society with the opinion that it was ‘bad behaviour’ on the part of the child. Parental education is absolutely necessary for the treatment of this condition and imperative for the emotional well-being of the child. The child does not wet the bed on purpose to upset the parents, and parents should be informed of positive and helpful steps they can take to encourage their children with gentle guidance and kindness.

If Nocturnal Wetting is the result of a medical condition, then treatment may be started in accordance with the appropriate remedy for the condition.

For deep sleepers, the use of a bedwetting alarm may be the solution. The alarm will go off, and the child is essentially “trained” to wake up and use the bathroom. Your doctor will instruct you on the proper use of the bedwetting alarm. If the condition is caused by slow growth no specific treatment is usually needed, once the child grows up, Nocturnal Enuresis should be stopped.

No matter what you think may be the cause of Nocturnal Wetting; You should take your child to the family doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All rights reserved.