Causes
of bedwetting
If
your child is over five and wets the bed, it is important
to have a medical evaluation. Bedwetting can be caused by
structural disorders of the urinary tract, neurological deficits
or developmental delays, and it can also be an indicator of
juvenile diabetes. Most often, however, there is not a
clearly defined cause of bedwetting. One theory on bedwetting
is over production of night time urine. Normally, the body
slows down production of urine at night. Some researchers
believe the bedwetting child simply makes too much urine at
night. Another theory is that the bedwetting child is a very
sounds sleeper and does not wake up from the stimulus of a
full bladder. Another possible cause is bladder capacity.
Some children's bladders develop slower than others. They
just can't hold as much urine. Although, emotional stress
or sexual abuse can sometimes cause bedwetting it is not a
common cause of bedwetting.
Treatments
for bedwetting
There
are medications available for treatment of bedwetting. Medication
does not work for all children and relapse is common when
children stop taking the medication.
Another
option is an alarm system. An alarm is attached to the child's
underwear or some type of padding on the child's bed. The
alarm goes off if it gets wet. The belief is the child will
learn to awake on his or her own and go to the bathroom instead
of wetting the bed. Results vary.
Parents
can also try limiting fluids after dinner and waking the child
to go to the bathroom at night. These tactics, however, only
work for some children.
Coping
with bedwetting
Bedwetting
can be very stressful for both the child and the parent. Fortunately,
almost all children do outgrow bedwetting. Some children may
wet the bed into their teen years, but very rarely is bedwetting
seen in adults.
Bedwetting
essentials
Pullups
- Pullups are very effective in helping the parent and child
cope with bedwetting. An older child may not want to wear
pullups. I do not recommend forcing a child to wear pullups.
Simply use a mattress pad or liner and have the child help
with laundering the wet clothes.
Mattress
cover and padding - Unless you want to replace your mattress
several times a year a good mattress cover and padding is
essential.
Deodorizing
sprays - Odoban is an excellent way to cut down odors.
Febreeze is another alternative, but it is not quite as effective.
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