Sandy Crest Medical Centre - Health Tips
Bed Wetting (Enuresis)
Enuresis is defined as the unintentional
discharge of urine during sleep twice a week for at least three
months during the night or day with no underlying physiological
cause. At age five 7% of boys and 3% of girls are affected. Enuresis
tends to run in families.
Bedwetting can sometimes be caused by a serious medical problem such
as diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, epilepsy, enlarged adenoids,
snoring, urinary tract infection, severe constipation or spinal cord
pathology.
Enuresis can often be controlled by instituting the following
techniques:
-
Reminding the child to urinate before going to
bed, if he or she feels the need.
-
Limiting liquid intake at least two hours before
bedtime.
-
A special sensor can be placed in the child's
pyjamas. This sensor triggers an alarm that wakes the child at the
first sign of wetness. This is considered the most effective form of
treatment now available.
-
Encouraging and praising the child for staying
dry.
-
Bladder training: having your child practice
holding his or her urine for longer and longer times.
Most children eventually “grow out” of this
problem without treatment.
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