Nocturnal Enuresis
Bedwetting
Nocturnal enuresis refers to the
involuntary passage of urine in a child while sleeping,
who is past the age when voluntary bladder control should have
been acquired. As age increases the prevalence of enuresis
decreases, the majority of children have managed to gain
bladder control by the age of 4 years.
Children who have remained continent for a
number of months may have lapses and become enuretic again,
without any obvious cause being found. Other relapses may occur
after a long period of dryness when a new sibling arrives on
the scene, or some other emotionally charged event takes
place.The occurrence of nocturnal enuresis is equally
balanced between the sexes in the earlier years, but males
predominate amongst older children.
Enuresis is more common in children who
have undiagnosed urinary
tract infections. Bladder control is acquired
gradually over time and involves many factors such as
environment , genetic factors, as well as neuromuscular
and cognitive development.
Many theories exist as to a possible cause of
nocturnal enuresis, sleep studies have managed to discredit the
previously held one that enuresis occurred only
in deep sleep, these studies have found that enuresis can
occur at any stage of sleep. Other studeis have found
that nocturnal enuresis occurs as the child moves from the
ddeper stage of NREM stage of sleep into the REM stage.
Although some studies have found that enuresis may occur when
the child is dreaming, generally it would appear that the
instances are too small in number to be considered
important.

Organic causes of enuresis may include urinary
tract infections, neurologic disturbances, congenital defects
of the meatus, urethra and bladder neck, diabetes, or diseases
which impair the ability to concentrate urine.
Nocturnal enuresis is not uncommon amongst
adults figures indicate that 1 in 100 have bed
wetting problems, and may have suffered with the symptom for
most of their adult lives. If no organic problem exists
which would contribute to the enuresis, finding causation may
be a most difficult task.
Treating nocturnal enuresis in adults may
involve dietary measures, limiting fluid intake at night,
eliminating alcohol, drinks containing caffeine, such as
coffee, tea, sodas, and especially diet sodas.
Setting the alarm to awaken every couple of hours to empty the
bladder is another possibility, although this may be very
disruptive to your sleep.
Nocturnal enuresis in children tends to
remit spontaneously without the necessity for treatment,
however, for children who regularly wet the bed at night,
waiting for the condition to resolve may be a very costly and
stressful option. The condition may need the
assistance of behavioral therapy or hypnosis, both of which
have produced positive results in children with nocturnal
enuresis. Witholding fluids, sleep interruption, diet therapy
and other conditiong devices may provide help, and of course
eliminating sodas of all kinds, for they tend to cause bladder
irritation.
Read more:Homeopathy for
Bedwetting
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