Bedwetting in children: causes and treatment

Bedwetting Causes

There is still no apparent medical reason to justify the occurrence of bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis). Doctors agree that it is part of a child's growth and development and is not a source of concern until the age of ten or twelve years. However, it has been found that some factors may contribute to the presence of this condition in children, such as:

1| Genetics

It turns out that most children who urinate in their sleep have a first-degree relative who also had this problem. If the mother and father had this problem when they were young, their children would likely suffer from the same condition.

2| Poor communication between the brain and bladder

When the bladder tells the brain that it is filling with urine, and if the message does not reach the brain due to deep sleep or the message arrives. The brain does not tell the bladder to relax and hold the urine until the morning, then involuntary urination occurs.

3| Stress and trauma

When a child experiences traumatic trauma, fear or is involved in an accident, or loses a loved one, he or she may wet the bed at night. Psychological Stress, such as exposure to violence and bullying, is also considered a causes of nocturnal enuresis in children.

4| Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection causes a burning sensation, pain during urination, and a strong desire to urinate with an increased frequency of urination. This infection, especially if not treated, may cause the child to wet the bed during sleep.

5| Diabetes

High blood sugar in children with juvenile diabetes causes the body to produce larger amounts of urine to get rid of excess blood sugar. This forces the child to go to the bathroom several times during the day, and large amounts of urine in the body may lead to involuntary urination at night.

6| Urinary system disorder

A defect or weakness in the muscles and nerves responsible for controlling urine causes problems in the urinary system, including bedwetting.

7| Sleep apnea

When a child's breathing becomes difficult at night, the brain works extra hard to get oxygen and focuses more on breathing than on any other bodily process, such as bladder control. Sleep apnea occurs due to swollen tonsils, which leads to blockage of the airways. In such cases, removing the tonsils may be a solution to the problem of involuntary urination.

8| Nervous system disorder

Any nerve problems or neurological disease may lead to a defect in the delicate nerves that control the urination process, which leads to bedwetting.

9| Developmental issues

Children with developmental problems such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD tend to have more bedwetting than other children.

Can bedwetting be treated in 5 minutes?

Beware of such claims that fill websites and platforms, as the problem of bedwetting cannot be solved except after an accurate diagnosis by doctors, after knowing the cause, and after developing a treatment plan that suits the child's condition.

Treatment

1| Medication

The physician may prescribe some medications for the child if he is over six years old, as doctors believe there is no need for any medical intervention before this age. It is essential not to give the child any medications without a prescription, in the appropriate dose for their age and condition.

2| Bedwetting Alarm

A particular alarm for urination at night succeeds in waking the child from sleep 50% to 75% of the time. Many types of these alarms immediately sense wetness and emit sounds to wake the child from sleep to go to the bathroom. Talk to your pediatrician about whether this option is right for your child.

3| Don't blame the child

Your child has no strength or power and cannot control this matter, so do not blame him. No matter how annoying it is for you to wash bed covers and sleepwear daily, be sure your child is more upset than you. Be patient and positive until this problem is treated correctly.

4| Establish healthy habits

Ensure your child does not drink any liquids two hours before bedtime, and try to wake him up once or twice during the night to go to the bathroom. With time, he will get used to waking up and going to the toilet.

5| Take the necessary precautions

Use a waterproof mattress protector so the mattress does not get wet, as it is difficult to clean. Let your child wear pull-ups designed for older children, as this will save him embarrassment and reduce the effort of daily washing.

Conclusion

Rest assured, dear Mama, that your child will not attend university while still wetting the bed. This stage will pass, just as other stages in your child's life have passed. Do not get angry, do not make your child feel guilty, consult doctors if you feel concerned about your child's health, and do not listen to other mothers. Every child is unique in his or her growth and development.