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Adult Bed Wetting ( Enuresis ) :- Symptoms, Causes and General Home Care of Bed Wetting ( Enuresis )

Bed -wetting is a very common disease. It indicates the inability to control the bladder functioning in sleep so that there is involuntary passing of urine in the night

Bed-wetting (enuresis) in children who have never been dry is common, and most children will outgrow it between the ages of 6 and 10. In almost all cases, bed­wetting is really not a disease, but rather a normal variation in development.

In some cases, a child who has been dry for several months or longer may start to wet the bed again. This can happen without a clear cause, or it may be caused by a urinary tract infection or emotional problems.

Symptoms of Adult Bed Wetting ( Enuresis )

In general, the only physical symptom present is the involunt­ary passing of urine during sleep. In addition, the child is usually sensitive and there are added problems of shame and guilt.

Causes of Adult Bed Wetting ( Enuresis )

No definite cause is known but some psy­chological and other factors can be identified.

These would include the theory of jealousy at the time of birth of the new child, change of residence, problems at school, grief or fear and nervous disposition of a child, etc. Presence of worms in the rectum should also be considered while prescribing the medicine.

Sometimes it may be due to delay in the maturity of that part of the brain that controls the urination. It may also be a sign that the child wants attention during the night. Gener­ally, this problem gets cured by the time the child is about 6 years of age. But sometimes, even teenagers are known to wet the bed.

General Home Care of Adult Bed Wetting ( Enuresis )

There are a number of ways to deal with bed­-wetting. Ask your doctor for advice in managing bed­wetting until your child outgrows it.

Do hot punish, embarrass, or blame your child.

Help your child empty his or her bladder before bed.

Remind the child to get up during the night to urinate. Provide a bedside potty chair and night-light may help.

Do not force your child to wear diapers at night. Try waterproof, extra-absorbent underwear instead. A thick pad or a vinyl mattress cover will protect the mattress.

Encourage the child to take respon­sibility for changing his or her clothes after wetting, for putting a dry towel down on the bed, and for helping wash bed linens.

Wash underwear and bedding vinegar to eliminate odour.

When to call the doctor

Your doctor can rule out or treat any physical causes of bed-wetting and help you and your child manage the problem. Call your doctor:

If bed-wetting occurs with pain or burning during urination or other signs of a urinary tract infection.

If bed-wetting occurs in a child older than 6 years, and home treat­ment is not successful after 4 to 5 weeks.

If bed-wetting becomes more fre­quent or severe despite home treatment.

If bed-wetting occurs in a child who had previously been dry for several months.

If a child age 4 or older is having accidental wettings and stool leakage.

If a child over age 3 has daytime bladder control problems after having been toilet-trained.