BedWetting - What is Normal & When to Seek Medical Attention
Bed-wetting is a common and involuntary occurrence among children under the age of four years old and typically ceases by the age of five or six. While bed-wetting may be embarrassing to the child, it is not something that they can help or an indication of improper potty training.
Bed-wetting is simply nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis due to the fact that bladder control has not yet been fully developed and occurs at different ages among individual children. Bed-wetting tends to be more common among boys and also in families with a history of bed-wetting.
Causes of Normal Bed-Wetting
There are several different reasons which may lead to a child wetting the bed. One of the causes can be due to the fact that part of the central nervous system is still developing and the child may not be able to feel when their bladder is full. In some children the bladder may also be smaller and becomes full more quickly.
There is also an antidiuretic hormone which causes the kidneys to decrease the water which is released and some children may have less of this hormone. Deep sleep can also be a factor as the child is not able to feel the sensation of the bladder being full which will decrease with age as their sleeping patterns change.
In some cases stress can also play a roll if the child is affected emotionally by such things as a change in the household with the addition of a sibling.
Ways in which you can help your Child through This Stage and Bed-Wetting Treatments
One of the ways in which you can help your child to overcome his or her bed-wetting is to ensure that they use the bathroom regularly during the day and does not go for extended periods of time holding their urine.
Limit the amount of drinking fluids a few hours before bedtime and ensure that your child goes to the bathroom right before going to bed. It is essential that you praise your child and maybe even reward them with something they enjoy after a full night of staying dry.
There are bed-wetting alarms which are also available in most stores and have been proven to be very successful when used consistently. Medications should be avoided if at all possible however; there are prescription drugs available which you can discuss with your doctor to determine which one if any may be right for your child.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If your child is continuing to wet the bed after the age of five or six, you should consult with your pediatrician to ensure that it is not a medical related condition. You should also contact your child's doctor if your child has had no accidents over a long period of time and suddenly begins again.
If your child is experiencing any pain or discomfort while urinating, is urinating more frequently including in the daytime as well as night, this may be a sign of a urinary track infection which you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Other medical conditions which bed-wetting may be a symptom of are diabetes and sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be caused by infections in the ear, sore throat, or inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids. Bed-wetting is a common occurrence which affects over five million children and typically does not indicate any abnormalities or physical problems.
It is essential that you do not punish your child for Bed-wetting and that you explain the fact that it is a normal occurrence in many children and that it can be helped and they with will outgrow it in time.