Bed wetting refers to the involuntary passage of urine during sleep. It is common in children up to the age of five. About half of the three years old children wet bed during night. This condition is also known as nocturnal enuresis or sleep wetting.
Bed wetting is considered a problem if it occurs in children of six years or older. It is more common in boys than girls. There is usually no obvious cause or physical abnormality found in affected children. They seem to have a delay in development of bladder control.
Some children may have small or sensitive bladder. Genetic factors also play significant role in this condition. That means; if one child in a family has bed wetting problem, there is more chance of other family members having it.
Bed-wetting can be primary or secondary. The cause of secondary enuresis can be psychological. It commonly occurs during a period of stress or anxiety. Most common triggering factors are arrival of a new baby and separation from a parent.
However, following underlying disorders should be excluded.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Diabetes.
- Urinary tract abnormalities.
- Neurogenic bladder.
Helping the child:
Parents should help the child in the following ways to adjust the problem.
- Do not punish the child.
- Praise the child for each dry nights.
- Do not stop the child drinking water after the evening meal.
- Do not wake the child at night to visit the toilet.
- Use a night light to help the child who wakes.
- Use an absorbent pad beneath the bottom sheet to keep the bed dry.
- Nappy can be used.
Use a bed wetting alarm:
Bed-wetting alarm system is considered to be the best treatment. You do not normally need a prescription to by it. There are many types of alarm available in the market. some use pads in the pants and under the bottom sheet. Modern alarms use a small bakelite chip, which is attached to the child's briefs by a safety pin. a wire connects to the buzzer outside the bed. Wireless alarms also available. The buzzer make a loud noise when the child pass urine. The child wakes,switches off the alarm and visit the toilet.
The method is based on a conditional response to release urine. It is important to keep the alarm device and the mat in proper functioning condition.
Try this method for at least three months. If the trial fails, have a three month break and try again. Once your child is dry for a month, continue using the alarm for another two weeks and then stop.
Popular brands of alarms are;
- Malem Night Trainer
- Drop Stop
- Enurad
- Wet-stop
Other methods of treatment:
Desmopressin: This medication comes as a nasal spray. It reduces the amount of urine production at night. It is the treatment of choice if bed alarm fails.
Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants such as Imipramine can also be used in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. However, they have many adverse effects.
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