Bed wetting or Enuresis can affect children and adults. Enuresis can be frustrating and embarrassing leading to low self esteem. There are measures you can take to lessen the trauma of bed wetting and stop it all together. Most children will outgrow bed wetting around the age their parents outgrew it.
Determine the Cause of to Stop Bed Wetting
Bed wetting can be caused by several factors. Determining if there is an external cause is your first step to solving this problem. If bed wetting is a new problem evaluating changes in stress levels and outside influences may help.
If the bed wetter is a child who was previously waking up dry and has began wetting the bed you may want to consider these things:
Did your child recently start school or is he or she being bullied at school?
Are there problems in the child’s home, such as parents arguing or divorcing?
Have there been recent changes in the child’s life that may have caused them stress, such as relocation or environment changes?
Is your child drinking extra fluids before bedtime?
If you are divorced and the child sleep at both parents’ homes does this happen at both homes?
Is your child showing signs of illness, such as increased hunger, increased thirst, increased urination even in the daytime? These are early signs of diabetes and your child should see a physician.
If you are an adult who has began to wet the bed you will want to contact your physician. Bladder control does falter with age but you could also have underlying illness or stress causing your nighttime incontinence. There are many disorders that can lead to bed wetting such as sleep disorders, allergies and psychological factors.
How to Stop Bed Wetting with Behavior Conditioning
Behavior conditioning to stop bed wetting is very effective unless it is caused by underlying illness. You can train yourself or your child to awaken during the night to empty the bladder.
Many people use moisture alarms that will sound or vibrate at the first detection of moisture to awaken the person to go to the bathroom to urinate. Over time, your body is conditioned to awaken to void at night. Moisture alarms are sold at most pharmacies and online without a prescription and there are several varieties on the market to choose from.
Limiting fluid intake in the hours prior to sleep, 2 hours prior to sleep
Bladder strengthening exercises to better control the urge to void once awake
Setting alarm clocks to awaken you to void each night
Treat constipation if this is a problem constipation can decrease the amount of urine the bladder can contain
Routine voiding – Encourage regular voiding throughout the day, about once every two hours.
Caffeinated Beverages – These should be avoided in the evening. Including coffees and sodas with caffeine.
How to Stop Bed Wetting using Medications
If reconditioning is not effective for you or you have an immediate need to stop bed wetting there are medications that can help. These medications are only effective to help control the problem and are not a cure.
DDAVP – Desmopressin Acetate helps to increase the levels of ADH (anti diuretic hormone) which naturally occur in the body. This causes the body to produce less urine at nighttime. It is taken in either oral or inhaled forms. There are a few side effects associated with this medication the most serious one being the possibility of seizures if you drink too much fluid while taking the medicine. If you have had too much fluid that day, do not take it. Also it should not be taken if symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or headache are present.
Anticholinergic drugs – Including oxybutynin or hyoscyamine can help those who have small bladders. Side effects can include facial flushing or a dry mouth. They help by reducing the contractions of the bladder or spasms and increase the volume capacity of the bladder for urine.
Antidepressants – These can help change the sleeping and waking patterns of the individual. Some have been effective for reducing the amount of urine produced and helping to increase the size of the bladder while helping with other symptoms that could have led to the bed wetting. They can cause serious mood changes and at times sleep disturbances. Usually due to the possible serious side effects these medications are only used with all other treatment methods have been exhausted.
Some people find that medication combined with behavior conditioning works well for them. Many find that once they stop the medication the bed wetting returns. Try to use behavior conditioning alone to stop bedwetting, you may not see any effect for a few weeks, but over time you may be able to stop bed wetting forever without the dangers of medication side effects.
Bed wetting or Enuresis can affect children and adults. Enuresis can be frustrating and embarrassing leading to low self esteem. There are measures you can take to lessen the trauma of bed wetting and stop it all together. Most children will outgrow bed wetting around the age their parents outgrew it.
Determine the Cause of to Stop Bed Wetting
Bed wetting can be caused by several factors. Determining if there is an external cause is your first step to solving this problem. If bed wetting is a new problem evaluating changes in stress levels and outside influences may help.
If the bed wetter is a child who was previously waking up dry and has began wetting the bed you may want to consider these things:
If you are an adult who has began to wet the bed you will want to contact your physician. Bladder control does falter with age but you could also have underlying illness or stress causing your nighttime incontinence. There are many disorders that can lead to bed wetting such as sleep disorders, allergies and psychological factors.
How to Stop Bed Wetting with Behavior Conditioning
Behavior conditioning to stop bed wetting is very effective unless it is caused by underlying illness. You can train yourself or your child to awaken during the night to empty the bladder.
How to Stop Bed Wetting using Medications
If reconditioning is not effective for you or you have an immediate need to stop bed wetting there are medications that can help. These medications are only effective to help control the problem and are not a cure.
Some people find that medication combined with behavior conditioning works well for them. Many find that once they stop the medication the bed wetting returns. Try to use behavior conditioning alone to stop bedwetting, you may not see any effect for a few weeks, but over time you may be able to stop bed wetting forever without the dangers of medication side effects.