Unintentional urination during sleep is referred as nocturnal enuresis, bedwetting or night time incontinence. In young kids or infants, involuntary urination is common because their bladder control activity fully develops after the age of 4 and controlling at night develops later on. Do not get disappointed since bedwetting is just a normal habit which may disappear as the time passes neither is it a sign of bad toilet training. If the problem persists after the age of 7 then deal the problem patiently.
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Medication, lifestyle change, hormonal replacement, alarms to interrupt sleep, surgery and some toilet training may help. Hormonal replacement and surgery are not recommended as this problem usually goes away slowly. Sometimes bedwetting may be due to emotional stress and family history, both in children as well as in adults, but developmental delay is the major cause among children.
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It is the one of the most common childhood problems and may require counselling of the parents so as not to impose any psychological pressure, punishment or shaming on the child suffering.
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Causes of Bedwetting:
• Male gender and family history
• Medical conditions like problems in functioning of kidneys, bladder or neurologic system
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic constipation
• Sexual abuse or emotional distress
• Excessive fluid intake before bedtime
• Urinary tract infection
• Some allopathic medications or caffeine
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Do’s
- Limit or control liquid intake of the child before bed time
- Stay cool and calm as a parent and do not shame the child
- Use night diapers and protect the mattress with vinyl covering
Don’ts
- Don’t shame or punish the child
- Don’t panic or get frustrated while changing nappies or bed sheets
- Don’t let the child feel embarrassed