Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2357/-1/133/
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Bed-wetting (Enuresis) by Dr. Brett Hodge
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Bed-wetting is a common disorder but few parents like to talk about it or discuss it, and often children suffering with this condition are too afraid and ashamed even to mention it to their friends. To make matters worse, in many countries there is a shortage of skilled, empathetic physicians to deal with this problem.
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Dr. Brett Hodge
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What is enuresis?
Enuresis is the medical term for bed-wetting during sleep. Accidental wetting of clothes or bedding is common in young children and is not a concern because children develop bladder control at different rates. Usually, daytime bladder control occurs before nighttime control. Most children stop bed-wetting by age 5 or 6. Bed-wetting that develops, or continues, after a child is expected to have nighttime bladder control is called nocturnal enuresis or just enuresis. Enuresis is considered primary if the child has never been dry at night or only is occasionally dry at night. Secondary enuresis refers to bed-wetting episodes that occur after a child has been dry at night for a considerable length of time. We will be focusing on primary enuresis.
What causes bed-wetting?
Bed-wetting is not a mental/ psychiatric or behavioural problem. It is not caused by poor self-esteem or emotional immaturity. Parents should be reminded that children do not deliberately wet their beds ‘to get’ at their parents. There is no single cause for bed-wetting. In most cases there is a combination of factors involved.
Causes of Primary enuresis or bed-wetting include the following:
• Delayed growth and development of the central nervous system
• Hormonal factors (not enough antidiuretic hormone that reduces the amount of urine made by the kidneys)
• Small bladder
Why children tend to hide their bed-wetting?
Most children who have primary enuresis or bed-wetting feel that there is something wrong with them that causes their disorder. Others feel that their bed-wetting is a result of their bad thoughts or their bad actions, while others feel it is a form of punishment. None of these beliefs are true but may cause children not to discus their problem with their parents. Children are often reluctant to seek professional help. Many children feel stigmatized once it is known that they have this disorder.
What are the treatments for bed-wetting?
Prior to treatment a visit to your doctor is important. Your doctor will do tests to rule out problems in the urinary tract system as well as other conditions like diabetes mellitus.
Most children outgrow bed-wetting without treatment. You and your doctor will decide if your child needs treatment. Various options are available. These include behavioural therapy and medications. Often a combination of therapies is used to achieve success.
Parents punishing a child for bed-wetting will NOT solve the problem.
Conclusion
Bed-wetting is a common disorder but it is a topic not often discussed by parents. Parents are sometimes hesitant to bring their children to the doctor with this condition and some doctors are not skilled to treat this disorder. Treatment is often started after the age of 7 or 8 as many children grow out of this disorder. There is no one single cause for this disorder which often runs in families. The good news is that the majority of children with bed-wetting can be successfully treated.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.