NOCTURNAL ENURESIS (Bed wetting)

Nocturnal Enuresis

Bed-wetting which is also called, nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis, is involuntary urination while asleep after the age at which staying dry at night can be reasonably expected. This condition affects mostly children but it can also affect some adults.

In children, if it occurs below the age of seven then there is no need for concern. This is due to the fact that a lot of children may still be developing nighttime bladder control at that age.

What are the causes?

Nocturnal enuresis or bed-wetting is usually caused by:

* Small bladder size

* Urinary tract infection

* Stress

* Fear

* Neurological disorders 

* Constipation

* Family history (genetics)

What are the symptoms?

Bed-wetting is usually accompanied by , painful urination, unusual thirst, pink or red urine, hard stools or snoring.

*Can bed-wetting be hereditary?

Yes, it can.

Most of the time, bed-wetting is not a sign of medical or emotional issues. It often runs in families. Half of the kids who wet the bed have a parent or a relative who did too. If both parents struggled with enuresis when they were young then the percentage increases to 75%.

Can bed wetting be controlled?

The good news is that it can and these are some of the ways to do it.

1. Bladder retraining -- Of course, parents did this with their children from a young age. Training kids to use the toilet was one of the things parents took time in teaching their children. As an adult, using the bathroom at set times in the day and night or slowly increasing the the amount of time in between bathroom visits( let's say fifteen minutes) can help train your bladder to hold more water.

2. Bed wetting alarm system -- This is a machine that you attach to your underwear or a pad on your bed. It will alert you as soon as you start to wet the bed.

3. Don't drink right before bed.

4. Use an alarm clock -- Set it to wake you up at regular times during the night so you can use the bathroom.

5. Take medicines -- As much as you might hate taking drugs, some drugs can help you with bed-wetting. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a drug that reduces the amount of urine that your kidneys make. ( So you better start getting used to it).

In conclusion, you may feel really embarrassed to wake up to wet sheets. Some people even chastise themselves. The important thing to note here is that it isn't your fault. It might have been caused by a medical condition, a drug, a problem with your bladder or some aunty's gene you inherited.

Don't waste your time feeling bad about it. Talk to someone and get professional help. It might be hard in the beginning but sooner or later, you'll be able to overcome it..