The Travails Of Bed Wetting In Older Children

It has become so in a typical growth of a child, that one who wets the bed at night is regarded as part of the development. One after the other, children will continuously wet the bed at night until they reach the age of five or six.

Pediatricians and psychologists assert this as a normal course of events.

However, this can be very alarming if older children, say seven years old and older, will continue to experience enuresis.

Enuresis, or bedwetting, is common among toddlers, especially those who haven't been potty-trained. This condition is a typical manifestation of an undeveloped bladder control.

Most children outgrow bedwetting when they reach the age of six years. So, bed wetting in older children is a sign of physical and emotional dilemma.

In most cases, bed wetting in older children can be very shameful and upsetting. This is because older children are expected to have full bladder control already. What's even more alarming with bed wetting in older children is that they gradually lose their self-esteem and confidence.

Generally, bed wetting in older children can be brought about by physical defects in the body. Older children, who continuously wet the bed at night, or even in the day, are experiencing a primary enuresis.

Primary enuresis is caused by an undeveloped bladder control or other health problems. Most health experts say that bed wetting in older children can be associated with urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problem, or diabetes.

Bed wetting in older children could also be a manifestation of a smaller capacity of the bladder or a bladder that is extremely delicate in composition.

With these conditions, older children will have difficulty of realizing their readiness to urinate or when their bladder is already full.

On the other hand, bed wetting in older children can also be due to some other external factors such as the environment. There are instances wherein emotion and problems in the child's surroundings could instigate bed wetting in older children. This is better known as secondary enuresis.

Secondary enuresis occurs when a child, who has already established a well-developed and well-controlled bladder management, has suddenly wet the bed. Because there are no imminent signs of physical defects, most cases of secondary enuresis are psychological.

Bed wetting in older children especially if it's a case of secondary enuresis usually occurs in the course of fear, nervous tension, or trauma.

Normally, the known causes of bed wetting in older children brought about by stress are family problems and arrival of a newborn baby.

Bed wetting in older children is usually a result of separation or divorce in parents. It creates a certain level of trauma wherein the child unconsciously bears the problem. The child may not be able to express what he or she feels towards the incident, that's why it's his or her body that responds to the situation.

On the other hand, other emotional factors may also trigger bed wetting in older children. The arrival of a newborn baby may also bring about constant worry on the child. The fear of rejection and negative response brought about by the situation is an underlying cause of bed wetting in older children.

Bed wetting in older children is also common among students who experience bullying. The child may not be able to express his or sentiments but can be clearly manifested through secondary enuresis.

In most cases, these factors are not known at once because children who experience enuresis are often ashamed to tell the truth. They feel that they will be punished and rebuked. Eventually, this can initiate frustration and anger on the part of these children.

However, bed wetting in older children is not a permanent predicament. It can be cured. There are lots of health professionals these days that are solely attuned to enuresis therapy. Chances are, bed wetting in older children can be cured in several options, that is, if there's no underlying physical problem.

Basically, therapy for bed wetting in older children is comprised of several programs. These may include behavioral techniques, medications, bladder training programs, and bedwetting alarms. All of these aim to lessen or eradicate cases of bed wetting in older children, thus, they will have more confidence and a higher level of self-esteem.

There may be no nippy fixes on bed wetting in older children. But with constant support and love from the parents, there's no problem that cannot be solved.

Enuresis is not a permanent flaw. It's just a phenomenon that needs correction. So, parents don't have to worry if their older child still wets the bed.