How To Treat Bed-Wetting (ENURESIS)

Soggy sheets and pajamas — and an embarrassed child — are a familiar scene in many homes. But don’t despair. Bed-wetting isn’t a sign of toilet training gone bad. It’s often just a normal part of a child’s development.

Bed-wetting is also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis. Generally, bed-wetting before age 7 isn’t a concern. At this age, your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control.

If bed-wetting continues, treat the problem with patience and understanding. Bladder training, moisture alarms or medication may help reduce bed-wetting.

 

SYMPTOMS

Bed-wetting is involuntary urination while asleep after the age at which staying dry at night can be reasonably expected.

Most kids are fully toilet trained by age 5, but there’s really no target date for developing complete bladder control. Between the ages of 5 and 7, bed-wetting remains a problem for some children. After 7 years of age, a small number of children still wet the bed.

 

 

When To See A Doctor

Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own — but some need a little help. In other cases, bed-wetting may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.

 

 

Consult Your Child’s Doctor If:

 

Your child still wets the bed after age 7

 

Your child starts to wet the bed after a few months or more of being dry at night

 

Bed-wetting is accompanied by painful urination, unusual thirst, pink or red urine, hard stools, or snoring

 

CAUSES

No one knows for sure what causes bed-wetting, but various factors may play a role:

 

A small bladder. Your child’s bladder may not be developed enough to hold urine produced during the night.

 

Inability to recognize a full bladder. If the nerves that control the bladder are slow to mature, a full bladder may not wake your child — especially if your child is a deep sleeper.

 

A hormone imbalance. During childhood, some kids don’t produce enough anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) to slow nighttime urine production.

 

Stress. Stressful events — such as becoming a big brother or sister, starting a new school, or sleeping away from home — may trigger bed-wetting.

 

Urinary tract infection. This infection can make it difficult for your child to control urination. Signs and symptoms may include bed-wetting, daytime accidents, frequent urination, red or pink urine, and pain during urination.

 

Sleep apnea. Sometimes bed-wetting is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the child’s breathing is interrupted during sleep — often due to inflamed or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Other signs and symptoms may include snoring, frequent ear and sinus infections, sore throat, or daytime drowsiness.

 

Diabetes. For a child who’s usually dry at night, bed-wetting may be the first sign of diabetes. Other signs and symptoms may include passing large amounts of urine at once, increased thirst, fatigue and weight loss in spite of a good appetite.

 

Chronic constipation. The same muscles are used to control urine and stool elimination. When constipation is long term, these muscles can become dysfunctional and contribute to bed-wetting at night.

 

A structural problem in the urinary tract or nervous system. Rarely, bed-wetting is related to a defect in the child’s neurological system or urinary system.

 

RISK FACTORS

Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of bed-wetting, including:

 

Being male. Bed-wetting can affect anyone, but it’s twice as common in boys as girls.

 

Family history. If one or both of a child’s parents wet the bed as children, their child has a significant chance of wetting the bed, too.

 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Bed-wetting is more common in children who have ADHD.

 

COMPLICATIONS

Although frustrating, bed-wetting without a physical cause doesn’t pose any health risks. However, bed-wetting can create some issues for your child, including:

 

Guilt and embarrassment, which can lead to low self-esteem

 

Loss of opportunities for social activities, such as sleepovers and camp

 

Rashes on the child’s bottom and genital area — especially if your child sleeps in wet underwear

 

PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

 

You’re likely to start by seeing your child’s pediatrician. However, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in urinary disorders (pediatric urologist or nephrologist).

 

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

 

What You Can Do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

Any signs or symptoms, including any major ones that may seem unrelated to bed-wetting. Consider keeping a diary of your child’s bathroom visits. Note when your child goes to the toilet and whether he or she felt a sense of urgency to urinate. Also note how much fluid your child drinks, especially after dinner.

 

Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

 

All medications, vitamins and other supplements that your child is taking, and the dosages.

 

Questions to ask your child’s doctor so you can make the most of your time together.

 

For bed-wetting, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

 

 

 

What’s Causing My Child To Wet The Bed?

When might he or she outgrow wetting the bed?

 

What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?

 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?

 

Should my child follow any drinking restrictions?

 

Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

 

Don’t hesitate to ask questions anytime during your appointment.

 

 

 

What To Expect From Your Doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:

 

Is there a family history of bed-wetting?

 

Has your child always wet the bed, or did it begin recently?

 

How often does your child wet the bed?

 

Are there periods of time when your child does not wet the bed?

 

 

 

Is your child dry during the day?

 

Is your child having stool accidents?

 

Does your child complain of pain or other symptoms when urinating?

 

Is your child facing any major life changes or other stresses?

 

If you’re separated or divorced, does your child alternate living at each parent’s home, and does the bed-wetting occur in both homes?

 

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

Your child will need a physical exam. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend:

 

Urine tests to check for signs of an infection or diabetes

 

X-rays or other imaging tests of the kidneys or bladder, if the doctor suspects a structural problem with your child’s urinary tract or another health concern.

 

Other types of tests or assessments, if other health issues are suspected

 

TREATMENTS AND DRUGS

Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own. If there’s a family history of bed-wetting, your child will probably stop bed-wetting around the age the parent stopped bed-wetting.

If your child isn’t especially bothered or embarrassed by an occasional wet night, traditional home remedies may work well. However, if your grade schooler is terrified about wetting the bed during a sleepover, he or she may be more motivated to try additional treatments. The child’s and parents’ motivation can impact the selection of treatment and its success.

If found, underlying causes of bed-wetting, such as constipation or sleep apnea, should be addressed before other treatment.

 

Moisture Alarms

These small, battery-operated devices — available without a prescription at most pharmacies — connect to a moisture-sensitive pad on your child’s pajamas or bedding. When the pad senses wetness, the alarm goes off.

Ideally, the moisture alarm sounds just as your child begins to urinate — in time to help your child wake, stop the urine stream and get to the toilet. If your child is a heavy sleeper, another person may need to listen for the alarm and wake the child.

If you try a moisture alarm, give it plenty of time. It often takes at least two weeks to see any type of response and up to 16 weeks to enjoy dry nights. Moisture alarms are effective for many children, carry a low risk of relapse or side effects, and may provide a better long-term solution than medication does. These devices are not typically covered by insurance.

 

Medication

As a last resort, your child’s doctor may prescribe medication to stop bed-wetting. Certain types of medication can:

Slow nighttime urine production. The drug desmopressin (DDAVP, others) boosts levels of a natural hormone (anti-diuretic hormone, or ADH) that forces the body to make less urine at night. But drinking too much liquid with the medication can cause problems with low sodium levels in the blood and the potential for seizures. So drinking only 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of fluids with and after the medication is recommended. Don’t give your child this medication if he or she has a headache, has vomited or feels nauseated. Desmopressin also may be used in short-term situations, such as going to camp.

 

According to the Food and Drug Administration, nasal spray formulations of desmopressin (DDAVP Nasal Spray, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, others) are no longer recommended for treatment of bed-wetting due to the risk of serious side effects.

 

Calm the bladder. If your child has a small bladder, an anticholinergic drug such as oxybutynin (Ditropan XL) may help reduce bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity. This medication is usually used in combination with other medications and is generally recommended only when other treatments have failed.

 

Sometimes a combination of medications is most effective. There are no guarantees, however, and medication doesn’t cure the problem. Bed-wetting typically resumes when medication is stopped.

 

 

LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES

Here are changes you can make at home that may help:

 

Limit how much your child drinks in the evening. It’s important to get enough fluids, so there’s no need to limit how much your child drinks in a day. However, encourage your child to focus on drinking liquids in the morning and early afternoon, which may reduce thirst in the evening. But don’t limit evening fluids if your child participates in sports practice or games in the evenings.

 

Avoid beverages and foods with caffeine. Beverages with caffeine are discouraged for children at any time of day. Because caffeine may stimulate the bladder, it’s especially discouraged in the evening.

Encourage double voiding before bed. Double voiding is urinating at the beginning of the bedtime routine and then again just before falling asleep. Remind your child that it’s OK to use the toilet during the night if needed. Use small night lights, so your child can easily find the way between the bedroom and bathroom.

 

Encourage regular toilet use throughout the day. During the day and evening, suggest that your child urinate every two hours or so, or at least often enough to avoid a feeling of urgency.

 

Treat constipation. If constipation is a problem for your child, your doctor may recommend a stool softener.

 

Prevent rashes. To prevent a rash caused by wet underpants, help your child rinse his or her bottom and genital area every morning. It also may help to cover the affected area with a protective moisture barrier ointment or cream at bedtime. Ask your pediatrician for product recommendations.

 

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Some people are interested in trying alternative medicine to treat bed-wetting. Alternative medicine is the use of a nonconventional approach instead of conventional medicine. Others may want to try complementary medicine — a nonconventional approach used along with conventional medicine — to treat bed-wetting.

 

Several therapies, such as hypnosis and acupuncture, have limited evidence of effectiveness, and others don’t have evidence to support their use.

 

Hypnosis. Small trials of hypnosis coupled with suggestions of waking up in a dry bed or visiting the toilet in the night found that this therapy may help some children stay dry throughout the night, but more research is needed.

 

Acupuncture. This treatment involves the insertion of fine needles in specific parts of the body. Acupuncture may be effective for some children, but more research is needed.

 

Diet. Some people believe that certain foods affect bladder function and that removing these foods from the diet could help decrease bed-wetting. The evidence is uncertain and more research is needed.

 

Chiropractic therapy. The idea behind chiropractic therapy is that if the spine is out of alignment, normal bodily functions will be affected. However, there’s little evidence regarding the use of chiropractic therapy for the treatment of bed-wetting.

 

Homeopathy and herbs. Although some people are interested in homeopathic remedies and herbal products, none of these has proved effective in clinical trials.

 

Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor before starting any complementary or alternative therapy. If you choose a nonconventional approach, ask the doctor if it’s safe for your child and make sure it won’t interact with any medications your child may take.

 

 

COPING AND SUPPORT

Children don’t wet the bed to irritate their parents. Try to be patient as you and your child work through the problem together.

Be sensitive to your child’s feelings. If your child is stressed or anxious, encourage him or her to express those feelings. Offer support and encouragement if your child has anxiety about stressful events. When your child feels calm and secure, bed-wetting may become a thing of the past. If needed, talk to your doctor about additional strategies for dealing with stress.

 

Plan for easy cleanup. Cover your child’s mattress with a plastic cover. Use thick, absorbent underwear at night to help contain the urine. Keep extra bedding and pajamas handy. However, avoid the long-term use of diapers or disposable pull-up underwear.

 

Enlist your child’s help. Perhaps your child can rinse his or her wet underwear and pajamas or place these items in a specific container for washing. Taking responsibility for bed-wetting may help your child feel more control over the situation.

Celebrate effort. Bed-wetting is involuntary, so it doesn’t make sense to punish or tease your child for wetting the bed or reward him or her for staying dry. Instead, praise your child for following the bedtime routine and helping clean up after accidents. Use a sticker reward system if you think this might help motivate your child.