Deny to or not, when you are still a child, you tend to pee on your blanket or bed. Well, there is actually no reason for you to get shy or to hide this truth. In fact, this particular thing happens to everyone, normally. This is what they usually call bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis. This is the condition wherein during the sleep, there is an unintentional passage of urine. While this is normal when you are still young, if you still experience this even when you get old, then there might be an underlying condition. Read on to this article as it will explain various things about the causes, symptoms, and the treatments for bedwetting. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Bedwetting: What is this condition?
Medically, bedwetting is also known as enuresis or nocturnal enuresis. As stated earlier, bedwetting is the unintended passage of the urine while sleeping. Actually, the medical term, enuresis is often characterized by the wetting, whether it is in the clothing during the day or in the bed at night. Another term for it is urinary incontinence.
This particular condition mostly affects the children. However, there are some instances or cases that the adults are the ones who suffer from it too. Furthermore, there are some studies that show the female adults may suffer from this particular condition due to a febrile bladder, which is the responsible for the dysfunction of the bladder.
Moreover, bedwetting is also a disorder that is in connection with habits. It may also be a cause of embarrassment to both the parents and the children when they grow up. There are various reports that say, 20% of children at the age of 5 wet on their bed at night. 15% out of which may learn and achieve in controlling their own disorder within a year or two.
Well, for infants and youngsters, the urination is involuntary. Thus, wetting is very normal for them. Furthermore, most of the children may achieve some degree in controlling their bladder by the age of 4 years old. The daytime control is commonly first achieved, meanwhile, in the night time, it is harder and it in fact, comes later. Nonetheless, the specific age wherein the bladder control is expected may actually vary considerably.
Factors Affecting the Age of Bedwetting
Some factors that may affect the age at which the wetting is already a problem. It includes the following:
- The child’s overall emotional and physical health. The chronic illnesses or physical and emotional abuse may predispose to the bedwetting.
- The development, as well as the maturity of the child.
- The gender of the child. It is more common in boys than in girls.
Types of Bedwetting
There are two main types of bedwetting:
- Primary bedwetting: this is the type of bedwetting wherein the child urinates every night (almost).
- Secondary bedwetting: this is the type of bedwetting wherein the child urinates randomly and may occur in a rare manner.
Causes of Bedwetting
Actually, the main cause of the bedwetting, which seems like the most common ones is the immature state of the children’s urinary system. This is the reason why there’s no voluntary control on the micturition act. This is what causes the release of urine in an abrupt manner. Furthermore, it may also be possible that the child’s bladder is quite small to hold the urine that is in it. Thus being expelled unintentionally.
Some other conditions, which may cause bedwetting include the following:
- Deep sleep
- Urinary bladder defects
- Spinal cord abnormalities
- Constipation
- Diabetes
- Urinary tract infection
- Anemia
Symptoms of Bedwetting
Most people who wet on their bed at night may tend to have no other symptoms other than the wetting of the bed in the night time.
Some other symptoms may suggest some psychological problems or causes with the nervous system or in the kidneys. In this particular cases, alerting the family or your doctor is a must.
Here are some of the symptoms that may be in association with bedwetting:
- Constipation
- Soiling or being unable to control the bowel movement
- Pinkish or cloudy urine, or blood stains on the pajamas or underpants
- Dribbling, straining, or unusual symptoms while urinating
- Wetting during the day
Treatments for Bedwetting
Typically, the condition is seen as a social disturbance more than a medical condition. It actually creates an anxiety and embarrassment in the child. The primary type of bedwetting may have a very high rate that has a spontaneous resolution. The treatments for bedwetting may range from home remedies to drugs. In fact, surgery may also be used.
Moreover, most of the children outgrow on their own. If various treatments for bedwetting is needed, then it may be based on the discussion of the options with the doctor and the identification of what treatment will really work best for that particular situation. The changes in the lifestyle may be of a great help in treating the condition. However, if it is unsuccessful then there may be a need for some additional treatments for bedwetting.
