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Nocturnal Enuresis is a common occurrence in childhood in which there is an involuntary passage of urine
during sleep. Most small children occasionally wet the bed
but usually this ceases with increasing maturity.
In some
children the condition is more persistent and frequent, and
they can be helped by various training techniques, such as
the bell and pad method.
In the latter case, an electronic sensor
detects the flow of urine and sets off a loud buzzer or bell
which wakens the child so that he or she can go to the toilet.
This conditioning technique is normally very effective in
helping the child to achieve control.
If any child wets the bed, it is extremely important for the
parents not to become angry or critical as this induces anxiety,
which makes matters worse.
A young child who wakens
up wet is often very upset and needs care and reassurance. It
is best to change the wet things and return the child to bed as
quickly as possible, without much comment.
Cause of Nocturnal Enuresis
A physical cause for enuresis is unusual in those children who:
- Wet only during sleep
- Have never had a urinary tract infection
- Urinate normally during the day
A physical cause for enuresis might be present in children who:
- Wet day and night
- Have urinary tract infections
- Have trouble with bowel control
How is enuresis diagnosed?
Bed-wetting can be a symptom of urinary tract infection or abnormalities of the urinary tract and, if associated with painful urination, stream abnormality, or daytime incontinence, should be fully evaluated. Usually a diagnosis of isolated bed-wetting can be made after performing a careful history, physical examination, and inspection of the urine (and, in some situations, ultrasound or other imaging tests).
Treatment for Nocturnal Enuresis
It should be noted that each and every person is unique. Sleep enuresis may best be described as a biobehavioural problem requiring consideration of multifarious biochemical, physiological and learning theory variables. Many factors will need to be examined before suggesting which interventional modality will be suitable in each instance.
- ALARMS
- MEDICATION
- EXERCISES
- NEURODEVLOPMENTAL THERAPY
- SOUND THERAPY
- BOWEN THERAPY
- EEG BIOFEEDBACK
- DIETARY
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