What is bed wetting and What is Nocturnal enuresis?
Bed wetting or Sleep Enuresis is involuntary urination most commonly seen in children during deep sleep. Enuresis is one of the forms of Parasomnias, others being sleepwalking, night terrors. Nocturnal bed wetting is the involuntary urination while asleep.
It is considered as normal in the process of development till the age of 5 or 6 years. The condition then usually improves and gets normalised.
What are the causes of bed wetting ?
The causes of Sleep enuresis or bed wetting can be :
- Bed wetting can be inherited from parents. A positive family history is found in most of the children suffering from bed wetting.
- Developmental problem, which can be structural or neurological
- Emotional issues such as parental conflicts, family issues , stress etc
- Injuries to the nerves, cauda equina problems
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Malformation of urinary tract
- Seizures/Epilepsy
- Sleep apnoea
- Usage of certain medications(side-effects)
Why do children suffer from bed wetting?
Bed wetting should not be considered as a problem till the age of 6 years as it is related to growth of the children and therefore, a sign of slow process of growth . The control of bladder during sleep in children can vary up to the age of 6 or 7 years. Many children learn toileting with ease in accordance with their bodily needs. Those who cannot master toilet training by acts of refusal or being stubborn can suffer from bed wetting.
Is bedwetting associated with other symptoms ?
Some children who suffer from bed wetting have associated symptoms of painful urination, hard stools, change in urine colour, excess thirst.
What are the types of Bed wetting ?
Bed wetting are of 2 types:
- Primary bed wetting : The child has never developed the control over bladder since the birth without a break .
- Secondary bed wetting : Here, the child have had dry nights as he must have developed control over bladder for a period of time not less than 6 months. This is followed by again bed wetting during nights.
How is bed wetting diagnosed?
The diagnosis of bed wetting is done by the age of the child (above 6 years), Sleep pattern and how often the child urinates during the day and night?, family history, recent medical history.
Urine culture , cystoscopy, ultrasonography is done to rule out other conditions which cause involuntary urination.
The treatment for bed wetting in children requires
- Bladder training exercises
- Behavioral therapy.
What can be done to avoid or combat bed wetting?
Training techniques as suggested by doctors to avoid bed wetting are :
- Schedule time for urination
- Remind the children of bathroom breaks
- Keep children away from urinary bladder irritants
- Check the intake of water and thirst status
- Talk positively about bed wetting as not an issue
- Do not threaten or punish the children as they are not doing it on purpose.
How does bedwetting affect the children ?
- Bed wetting effects both the child and the family.
- Interferes child’s socialising by the act of embarrassment.
- Self-esteem of the child may get effected.
- Frustration develops within the family.
- Bed wetting in children can result in emotional disturbance .
Is there any treatment for bed wetting ?
The treatment of bed wetting has more to do with parental role in the initial stages. It has to borne in mind by the parents that children do not wed the bed on purpose. The treatment also depends on the child’s age, the frequency of bed wetting, the symptoms associated with the bed wetting, the family incidents and their role in child’s life.
Homeopathy has excellent remedies for bed wetting based on the type, associated symptom and constitution of the patient. Positive Homeopathy Clinics have experienced doctors who take care of the children suffering from bed wetting consideing the need of support and assurance.
Some of the best homeopathic remedies for bed wetting in children are Kreosote, Lyco, Caust., Cina,Bell., etc. For bed wetting in adolescene , Lac can is very effectively used. Bed wetting can also be in adults and homeopathic remedies such as Sepia, Secale, Caust and Equisetum work wonderfully to cure it permanently.
