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Having the occasional wet bed is a common occurrence
in children under the age of 6 years old, with some children, who are
mostly boys continuing with the problem beyond 6 years of age. This usually
doesn't mean that there is a problem however, which all parents are greatly
relieved to know, but some children, particularly those who wet the bed
frequently could have a very common childhood illness which is called
nocturnal enuresis.
What is nocturnal enuresis?
Your child might be diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis if they wet the
bed two or three times a week on a regular basis. A child who was previously
dry at night for more than 6 months and then begins bed-wetting is said
to have secondary nocturnal enuresis, while a child who has never been
dry at night is said to have primary enuresis.
Diurnal enuresis occurs if the child has involuntary daytime problems
with urination at an age when they should be able to control it, however
this is a separate illness and is treated differently.
It is important for parents to note that children who suffer from nocturnal
enuresis aren't lazy and it isn't something which they can just stop,
and as such they shouldn't be punished for this, in fact by punishing
your child you will probably only make the condition worse.
What is the cause of nocturnal enuresis?
While the exact cause of the disease isn't quite known it is thought that
there are a number of different factors that play a part in the problem,
genetic inheritance is thought to play a part in that parents who suffered
from the illness can passit onto their children. Stress is also thought
to play a role and it has also been linked to constipation.
What is the treatment for nocturnal enuresis?
The illness is treated with strategies rather than there being a single
cure, in fact in most cases given time the problem corrects itself sooner
or later. Treatment strategies such as rewarding your child for a dry
night have been very successful and behaviour modification strategies
are also known to work, a strategy such as this relies on the child being
able to anticipate the need to urinate before actually doing so.
In cases where constipation is thought to be the cause of the problem
the bed wetting usually disappears when correct treatment has been given
to remedy constipation. Other practical methods of course help, by reducing
the amount of fluid your child has before going to bed and ensuring that
they urinate before going to bed are all good ideas.
Whichever form of treatment prescribed by the Doctor or health care worker
your child will be monitored at regular intervals and only in the very
extreme cases will medication therapy be offered.
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