• Home
• /
• Health

Timely intervention key to tackling bed wetting

DUBAI - Night times filled with irritation and distress are commonly felt experiences when the child wets the bed. For a parent it translates to a batch of bed sheets to be washed and the child loathing the aspect of getting up in the morning with a sense of embarrassment.

Every child passes through the phase of bed wetting. It is natural until the child gets old enough to develop complete night-time bladder control. Frequent bedwetting is common in children up to the age of six. This is termed as primary bed wetting, says Dr Cyril Ignatius, Specialist Pediatrician at Aster Hospital. “Parents need to worry only when this habit persist beyond six years of age.”

Research has determined that approximately 15 to 20 per cent of all five and six-year-olds wet the bed and it is more common among boys. With teenagers, the figure is two to three per cent up to 14 years and one per cent at 15 years and over.

The etiology of nocturnal enuresis is not a single factor. There are many factors that predispose a kid to bed wetting habit. Firstly, it is believed that there is a genetic link to this disease.

Medical experts have related psychological stress to nocturnal enuresis. Children who are emotionally or mentally disturbed develop this habit. There can be an underlying physical disturbance behind nocturnal enuresis in kids.

Children who have small bladders or those who don’t have muscles strong enough to control bladder emptying have this habit. Also, kids whose nerve endings are not fully developed, cannot sense the need to micturate as the signals could not be passed though the nerves to the brain. So the kids’ don’t know that he needs to micturate.

Dr Cyril said, “Primary bed wetting habit disappears naturally with age. There is no particular treatment for it and parents don’t need to panic about this.”

“Parents must deal with this problem with patience and care. Instead of criticising or embarrassing a child, make them stick to a micturition routine.”

Limit fluids intake after dusk. Before going to bed kids should completely clear their bladder. Bed wetting alarms also help them in getting up at intervals between their sleep and visit the bathroom.

“Speaking to the child regarding this issue at bed time can also help them understand the need to get over this habit. It also gives them emotional support,” he said.

“Seek medical help to rule out any physical disturbance like under-developed bladder, nerve discrepancies or weak musculature. Proper counselling and medical or surgical intervention can help prevent this habit from becoming permanent.”

--— news@khaleejtimes.com

Dr Cyril Ignatius is a Specialist Pediatrician practicing at Dr Moopen’s Medical Center, Al Karama of DM Healthcare.