UROLOGY   BEDWETTING   PROSTATE CANCER

Nocturnal Enuresis (Bedwetting)

Bedwetting happens when a child involuntarily wets whilst sleeping and because they are asleep, they don’t have the awareness they have whilst awake.  It is not a child's fault they wet at night, nor are they being lazy.

The medical name for bedwetting is nocturnal enuresis. If a child has never been dry at night for a period of at least 6 months, it is called primary nocturnal enuresis¹. If a child has been dry for 6 months or more and begins wetting at night again, this is called secondary nocturnal enuresis.¹

Doctors have shown that children with wetting problems are more prone to develop co-morbid psychological problems.¹  Children may become socially isolated, emotionally distressed and have a low self-esteem, as a result of enuresis.² Yet, bedwetting can be treated simply and effectively saving the family a great deal of anguish.

Treatment of enuresis can be both frustrating and difficult for both the parents and child as it is not always successful. The combination of a motivated child and a cooperative family is the best predictor of a positive outcome. If a child does not view the wetting as a problem and is not interested in treatment the waiting may be appropriate. Children should be approximately 6 to 8 years of age before treatment is under taken. ¹ This condition can be treated with medicine or conditioning (alarm) therapy. Alarm therapy is proclaimed to be amongst the most effective interventions for treating childhood nocturnal enuresis.²

Causes of bedwetting¹

• The kidneys produce more urine than the bladder can hold
• Patients do not wake up when their bladders are full
• Reduced bladder capacity

Related Links

• www.bedwetting.com
• www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?query=bedwetting
• www.eric.org.uk
• www.wetalert.com.au

Please note that Ferring cannot accept liability for the content on the above sites, since they are not managed or controlled by Ferring.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Ferring disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Reference:

¹ Hjalmas. K et al. Nocturnal enuresis. An international evidence based management strategy. The Journal of Urology, June 2004, Vol 171,2545-2561

² Butler. R et al. Treatment of childhood nocturnal enuresis: an examination of clinically relevant principles. BJU International (2001), 88,563-571